(a) whether the broadcasting of Doordarshan and Akashvani does not have a clear reach in the rural and border areas;
(b) if so, the reasons therefor; and
(c) the steps taken to increase the number of transmitters particularly in the said areas in the current scheme, State-wise?
THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING
{COL RAJYAVARDHAN RATHORE (Retd.)}
(a) & (b) Prasar Bharati has informed that as far as All India Radio is concerned, the present total reach of AIR broadcast is about 92.00 % of the area and 99.20 % of the total population of the country. However, very small border areas in North-East and J&K are still uncovered by terrestrial broadcast of AIR, due to hilly/rocky terrain which badly affects the propagation of radio waves. Further, AIR is in process of replacing its old/outlived MW/SW and FM transmitters by new transmitters to strengthen its existing coverage. Installation of new FM transmitter setups at various places has also been planned as per approved schemes to expand its reach to larger parts of the country including rural and border areas.
In addition to above, 31 AIR’s channels are available on Doordarshan’s DTH platform (DD Free Dish) and can be received by set top box throughout the country including rural and border areas. Additionally, 13 channels of All India Radio are also available on internet platform on AIR’s website <allindiaradio.gov.in> or by downloading suitable apps on iOS/ Android/ Windows based mobile phones.
As regards Doordarshan, all areas of the country (including those located in rural and border areas), have been provided with multi-channel TV coverage through Doordarshan’s free-to-air DTH service. DTH signals can be received anywhere in the country with the help of small sized dish receive units. In terrestrial mode, Doordarshan signals are estimated to be available to about 92% population, spread over 81% area of the country. In view of multichannel coverage having been provided to all the areas uncovered by terrestrial transmission through Doordarshan’s free-to-air DTH service, new transmitters for expansion of terrestrial coverage are now not envisaged.
(c) For providing FM Service in Rural and border areas, 123 new FM transmitter (1 KW-25 nos +5 kw-12 nos+10 KW-28 nos.+20KW-02 nos. + 100 W-56 nos.) have been approved, as per state-wise details given in Annexure.
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