PM Modi inaugurates 91 FM transmitters to boost radio connectivity in country

Prime Minister Narendra Modi today inaugurated 91 FM transmitters to boost radio connectivity in the country.

The 100 Watt transmitters were inaugurated through video conferencing. These transmitters have been installed in 84 districts across 18 States and two Union Territories.

Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Modi said the government is continuously working towards the democratization of technology stressing that every citizen should have access to technology.

He said the technological revolution in the country has helped radio emerge in a new avatar and digital India has given new listeners to radio through online FMs and podcasts.

Underlining that infotainment through FM has a lot of value, the Prime Minister said, be it timely dissemination of information, weather forecasts for agriculture, or connecting the women's self-help groups with new markets, these FM transmitters will play a key role.

He said, FM radio and DTH have shown a window to the future of Digital India. Many education courses are also available on DTH services.

He added that the affordability of mobile devices and data plans has enabled widespread access to information.

Prime Minister Modi said he is soon going to host the 100th episode of the Mann Ki Baat programme.

He said the deep connection with people all across the nation would not have been possible through any other medium than the Radio.

Mann Ki Baat has harnessed the unique strength of the radio medium to reach out to the widest possible audience.

Information and Broadcasting Minister Anurag Singh Thakur said the opening of 91 FM transmitters will be very helpful in transmitting information related to entertainment, sports, and farming to the local people. He also said the Mann Ki Baat programme has increased the popularity of radio.

Minister of State for Information and Broadcasting Dr. L Murugan, Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami, Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, Union Minister Piyush Goyal, Secretary of Information and Broadcasting Apurva Chandra and others joined the event.

Sources reports that while installing new FM transmitters, a special focus has been on enhancing coverage in Aspirational Districts and in border areas.

With this expansion, an additional two crore people and an area of about 35 thousand sq km area will now have access to All India Radio's FM service.