Question : SETTING AND UPGRADATION OF DD AIR TRANSMITTERS

(a) whether the Government are considering to set up some DD/AIR (Vividh Bharati/FM Radio stations/Studio transmitter projects in the country during the remaining period of Ninth Five year Plan ;

(b) if so, the details thereof, type-wise, location-wise State-wise ;

(c) whether the Government propose to upgrade/expand/modernise some transmitter projects ;

(d) if so, the details thereof, type-wise, location-wise State-wise ;

(e) the time by which these are likely to be completed/started functioning alongwith the areas and population that would be covered by these projects, State-wise particularly in Madhya Pradesh ;

(f) the reasons for delay, if any ongoing transmitter project is behind the schedule time of completion/construction ;
(g) if so, the details thereof, and
(h) the total budget outlay sanctioned to implement the policy on expansion of electronic media during the Ninth Five Year Plan ?

THE MINISTER OF INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING (SMT. SUSHMA SWARAJ)


(a) & (b): Yes, Sir. The details of AIR and Doordarshan projects under implementation in the Ninth Five Year Plan are given in Annexure-I.

(c) & (d) : Yes, Sir. The details of upgradation and modernisation schemes of AIR and Doordarshan transmitters, presently under implementation, are given in Annexure-II.

(e) : These projects are at different stages of implementation and are expected to be completed in phases, during the next two to three years. State-wise coverage figures, existing and expected to be achieved consequent upon commissioning of above projects, are given at Annexure- III.

(f) & (g) : Some of the transmitter projects are behind schedule mainly due to following reasons :


(i) Difficulties in acquisition of sites;

(ii) Delay on the part of contracting agencies in construction of towers and buildings;

(iii) Delay in finalisation of tenders for purchase of equipment and delay in delivery by suppliers;

(iv) Non-availability of infrastructural facilities e.g. approach roads, power and water supply at certain places;

(v) Law and order problems at certain places.


(h) : Approved outlay for AIR and Doordarshan schemes under Ninth Plan is Rs.805.40 crores and Rs.1761.65 crores respectively.