Question : FM Radio Stations

a) the details of Akashwani and FM Radio stations operating at present along with estimated listeners in the country, State/UT-wise;
b) whether any step has been taken/proposed to be taken by the Government to provide FM Radio stations in district headquarters of each Parliamentary Constituency in the country and if so, the details thereof, State/UT-wise including Rajasthan, Haryana and Maharashtra;

c) the estimated average cost of setting up of new FM radio station along with revenue generated from various FM Radio stations at present, State/UT-wise including Rajasthan;
d) whether the Government has given its approval to new FM channels dedicated to farmers and cattle rearers and if so, the details thereof, State/UT-wise including Rajasthan; and
e) the other measures being taken by the Government to establish FM Radio station in small cities all over the country keeping in view the demand by people?

THE MINISTER OF ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE; MINISTER OF INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING; AND MINISTER OF HEAVY INDUSTRIES AND PUBLIC ENTERPRISES
(SHRI PRAKASH JAVADEKAR)



(a) and (b) Prasar Bharati has 482 All India Radio(AIR) Stations operating at present in the country and FM Radio stations at various locations across the country. The installed coverage capacity of AIR is about 92% by area and 99.20% by population of the country. State/UT-wise details are at Annexure-I.
(c) Average estimated cost of setting up a typical 10 kW FM radio station with 100 meter tower and studio facility by Prasar Bharati is approximately Rs 15 crore. State/UT-wise details of revenue generated in FY 2019-20 (upto December, 2019) by FM Radio stations including stations in Rajasthan are given at Annexure-II.
(d) Radio programmes for farmers and cattle rearers are being broadcast regularly by the AIR stations of Prasar Bharati in various parts of the country.
(e) Prasar Bharati expands its FM Radio Network by establishing new FM Stations as per approved projects under Central Sector Scheme of Government of India as per the need and demand in that area.

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