NEW DELHI: Bifurcation of Andhra Pradesh has forced pubcaster Doordarshan to start separate transmission of the channel. With Hyderabad becoming a part of the newly formed Telengana, regular transmission of two hours a day is to commence with immediate effect from the Doordarshan Kendra of Vijayawada to cater to the residual state of Andhra Pradesh.

The transmission which currently will be from 5 pm to 7 pm every day, will later convert to being round-the-clock.

Consequently, Doordarshan has also started planning production and transmission facilities that are similar to its Kendra in Hyderabad.

The pubcaster has already taken an initiative to upgrade the existing facilities of Doordarshan Kendra at Vijayawada which presently has one 150 sq m studio and a teleport satellite up linking facility.

Doordarshan Director General Tripurari Sharan and Additional Director General V K Jain recently visited the Vijaywada Kendra and discussed widespread plan for its upgradation with engineering and programme officers. Sharan asked officers to fast-track its upgradation plan and complete it in a time bound manner, directing Jain to personally monitor the progress.

The DD Saptagiri channel running from Hyderabad will be renamed to DD Telangana and the DD Saptagiri channel will be retained for residual state of Andhra Pradesh.