Centre Approves New Akashvani Kendra in Ujjain Under BIND Scheme.
Banking & Finance
On July 8, 2025, the Union Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, through the Broadcasting Infrastructure and Network Development (BIND) scheme, granted in-principle approval for establishing a new All India Radio (Akashvani) centre in Ujjain, Madhya Pradesh.
- This decision aims to strengthen media reach in the region ahead of the 2028 Simhastha Kumbh Mela, enhancing timely information dissemination and public communication.
- The announcement followed a high-level meeting in New Delhi between Union Minister of State Dr L. Murugan and Madhya Pradesh CM Dr Mohan Yadav, along with senior officials such as I&B Secretary Sanjay Jaju and Prasar Bharti DG Dr Pragya Paliwal Gaur.
- Discussions centred on leveraging Akashvani and Doordarshan to amplify rural development narratives, preserve cultural heritage, and improve regional broadcasting infrastructure.
Main Point :- (i) With approval in place, a state-of-the-art studio will soon be developed in Ujjain, with interim broadcasts managed by Akashvani's existing Indore centre until construction is complete. CM Yadav highlighted that the new studio is crucial for timely alerts during events like Simhastha Mela and for strengthening last-mile communication.
(ii) The centre will be financed under the ₹2,539.61 crore BIND scheme, which aims to enhance transmission infrastructure, digital studio upgrades, content development, and civil works for both AIR and Doordarshan up to 2025‑26. The scheme targets improved FM reach—expanding from 59% to 66% geographically and from 68% to 80% by population. It also supports DTH coverage for remote, LWE, and border areas.
(iii) Both the Centre and MP government confirmed their commitment to installing robust broadcasting networks in underserved and aspirational districts. The initiative is expected to create indirect jobs in broadcasting equipment manufacturing, content production, and installation services. It also supports cultural programming, e‑learning, and digital literacy—all aligned with the vision of a Viksit Bharat by 2047.
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