PM inaugurates 91 FM transmitters in remote parts of 18 states, two UTs

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday (April 28) inaugurated 91 FM transmitters across 18 states and two Union Territories and said his government wanted to give people across the country affordable access to technology.

Inaugurating the transmitters in the border areas and aspirational districts, Modi said the move would take FM radio to more than two crore people staying in remote regions.

“These FM transmitters will play a key role in a range of services, be it timely dissemination of information, weather forecast for agriculture or connecting women self-help groups with new markets,” said the PM.

The event was attended by chief ministers and officials from all 18 states and two Union Territories.

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Mann ki Baat

The expansion takes place two days before the landmark 100th episode of Mann ki Baat, the prime minister’s monthly radio programme.

“The tech revolution has led to the shaping of radio and FM in a new way. Radio has not gone obsolete. Through online FMs and podcasts, it has come in a new avatar. Digital India has given it new listeners,” said Modi.

He said with 91 more FM transmitters, All India Radio was well on its way to expand its FM footprint nationally. The PM said his Mann Ki Baat’s deep connect with the people would not have been possible through any medium other than the radio.

He said the expansion of optical fibre networks into villages has led to a reduction of costs of mobiles and data.

“Today, digital entrepreneurs are emerging from every nook and corner of the country. Even the street-vendors are using the UPI now, they are availing the banking facilities,” he pointed out.

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Small industries

The PM said the government e-marketplace played a greater role in helping small industries grow and develop. “Today many education courses are available on DTH services. FM radio and DTH have both shown a window to the future of Digital India,” he said.

The 91 100 W FM transmitters have come up in 84 districts in Bihar, Jharkhand, Odisha, West Bengal, Assam, Meghalaya, Nagaland, Haryana, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Andhra Pradesh, Kerala, Telangana, Chhattisgarh, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra as well as Ladakh and Andaman and Nicobar Islands.

(With agency inputs)