Question : EXPANSION OF DD - AIR STATIONS

(a) the total number of Doordarshan (DD) and All India Radio (AIR) stations in the country, place and State/UT-wise;

(b) whether the Union Government proposes to expand the DD/AIR network by establishing more number of stations in various states in the country, where Doordarshan/ Radio broadcast is not available;

(c) if so, the details thereof, State/UT-wise including Rajasthan, Jharkhand, Odisha, Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh;

(d) the details of projects likely to be completed during the current year, State/UT- wise; and

(e) whether the State Government of Rajasthan has allotted land for a Doordarshan Studio in Udaipur City, if so, the details thereof along with the efforts made by the Union Government for the setting up of the same?

THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING
(COL RAJYAVARDHAN RATHORE(Retd.))

(a) Prasar Bharati has informed that at present All India Radio(AIR) Broadcasting stations are functional at 414 places in the country. State/UT-wise and place-wise details are given at Annexure-I. Doordarshan has 1416 terrestrial transmitters and 67 Studio centres in its network. State/UT-wise and place-wise list is given at Annexure-II.

(b) & (c) As far as All India Radio(AIR) is concerned, 188 nos. of new AIR Stations are approved for installation in the country under the Plan Schemes including 100 Watt FM Relay Stations. State/UT-wise and place-wise details are given at Annexure-III (A&B).

As regards Doordarshan, the entire country is covered by Doordarshan’s free-to-air DTH service. For expansion of terrestrial coverage in border areas, new transmitters have been approved under Plan Schemes as given at Annexure-IV.

(d) For All India Radio(AIR), State/UT-wise details of projects likely to be completed during the current year are given in Annexure-V. For Doordarshan, details of major projects likely to be completed during current year are given at Annexure-VI.

(e) Urban Improvement Trust, Udaipur had allotted land for TV Studio at Udaipur. Construction could not be taken up due to ban imposed by the court on new construction on this land. However, subsequent to the removal of ban on construction, project of setting up of TV Studio at Udaipur, along with other 4 new TV Studios, was not agreed to by the Expenditure Finance Committee (EFC).