All India Radio to shut down its transmitter after 31 December!

Dec. 20: In what seems to be a disheartening piece of information is that the All India Radio’s (AIR) transmitter, the national radio broadcaster of India will completely be shut down after December 31. As per reports, the programmes of AIR will now be run under a FM channel and in the mobile application. This means many listeners will now be deprived from the services as the programmes will now be available in limited geographical area.

The AM service in the medium wave is providing services in around 200 kilometer area and the FM services reaches around 40-50 kilometer area which means the FM service will not reach entire listeners. Thousands of listeners of medium wave, which is providing services since 73 years will now be limited. Many especially in rural areas are outside the FM coverage and also do not necessarily have smartphones. If certain reports are to be believed then the rate of the transmitter to provide AM services has been increased and therefore it has been decided that 6 transmitters will be closed down.

However, sources revealed that the transmitters will be closed in a phase manner. It was also learnt that in the 1st phase, no transmitters of AIR Silchar will be shut down. Hence, transmission by AIR Silchar will as of now continue as per the existing specification.

What comes as a surprise is that ‘Mann ki Baat’ programme of Prime Minister Narendra Modi has wide popularity among the rural masses. Now if AIR really stops AM service, then a vast multitude of populace of rural India won’t be able to tune in even to this programme.

However, this was confronted by officials of AIR. One of the officials on condition of anonymity stated that the geographical area covered by FM of AIR is more wide than that of the private players and hence their programme will indeed reach even those residing in far flung areas.