Doordarshan plans further penetration in remote Andaman Islands

Port Blair, Aug 21 (UNI) The Information and Broadcasting Ministry has made a special package for expansion and improvement of DD services in remote Andaman and Nicobar Islands.

Talking to UNI today, Director of DD Kendra, Port Blair, P K Subhash said, ''Basically we want to increase transmission range in these islands so that they can receive clear signals from the DD Kendra here. We are also planning to introduce limited DTH facilities.'' He said under the scheme, 1000 C-band Dish TV sets would be available free of cost for various public institutions of the islands.

A high level meeting was held recently to discuss expansion and augmentation of DD services in the islands, he added.

The meeting was attended by Mr Subhash and DD engineers, besides Information and Publicity Division officials of the Andaman and Nicobar Administration.

''Six out of the eight new very low power transmitters (VLPTs) will be installed at Kadamtala, Long Island, Harinagar, Neil Island, Ramakrishnapur and Govindnagar by December this year in order to ensure better reception of DD programmes,'' Mr Subhash said.

''Remaining two VLPTs will come up three to four months later at Chowra and Gandhinagar. Similarly, the exisiting VLPTs in Diglipur, Mayabunder, Rangat, Hut Bay, Nancowry and Campbell Bay will be upgraded soon to augment the services,'' he added.

It was proposed to distribute the Dish TVs (DTH) to all the 67 panchayats, nine tehsils, panchayat samities, health centres, schools and other educational institutions and government offices in different parts of the islands.

''Before installation of Dish TVs, which are expected to be available by the end of this year, the uplinking facilities from Delhi to Port Blair will have to be completed. Once this is done, the people of remote and far-flung places will be able to see the local programmes telecast by the DD Kendra here,'' the director said.

DTH facilities would be extended to the remotest parts of the islands to keep the people informed about the latest developments taking place in their territory.

''Through this service, information relating to disaster preparedness in the event of natural calamity can be beamed. The DTH service promises to provide multi-channel coverage with at least 10 TV channels through DTH C-Band,'' Mr Subhash claimed.

UNI