Centre to build Soochna Bhavans for regional media outreach | Fusion - WeRIndia

The Central government will set up Soochna Bhavans in 12 state capitals to enhance communication with regional media, aiming to improve coordination and outreach as part of a major infrastructure and public communication initiative.

Spearheaded by the Ministry of Information & Broadcasting (I&B), this move aligns with a broader strategy to enhance outreach ahead of crucial state elections and the 2029 Lok Sabha polls.

The Soochna Bhavans will be modelled on Delhi’s National Media Centre and will house key media units like the Press Information Bureau (PIB), Central Bureau of Communication (CBC), Publication Division, and Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) under one roof.

Currently, these units operate from scattered, often rented premises, limiting coordination and operational efficiency.

In the first phase, Soochna Bhavans will come up in:

• Lucknow
• Dehradun
• Chandigarh
• Jaipur
• Patna
• Bhubaneswar
• Guwahati
• Ahmedabad
• Bengaluru
• Thiruvananthapuram
• Hyderabad
• Kolkata

Each building will cost approximately ₹40 crore, bringing the total estimated expenditure to around ₹480 crore.

Each Soochna Bhavan will be a ground-plus-four structure, equipped with modern amenities including:

• Three multi-purpose auditoriums (150 seats each)
• Media centre with 25–30 workstations
• E-library, daily newspaper counter, CBC material storage
• Video-conferencing room, rehearsal hall, and VIP lounge
• Crèche, yoga room, and gym
• Guest rooms for visiting officials
• Technical space for local EMMC units

These centres will have the following features:

• To ensure security and efficiency, the centres will feature high-speed internet, secure servers, CCTV, baggage scanners, and modular ergonomic workstations.
• Emphasising sustainability, the buildings will incorporate solar panels, rainwater harvesting, and energy-efficient lighting.
• These centres will be built on vacant land within All India Radio or Doordarshan campuses for easy accessibility.

A PIB-nominated nodal officer will handle approvals. Final layouts will be cleared by the central and state panels.

This initiative aims to enhance coordination, speed up campaign execution, and significantly bolster the Centre’s regional communication network.

Image Credit: Pinakpani, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Image Reference: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Office_of_the_Ministry_of_Information_and_Broadcasting_(India)_04.jpg