NEW DELHI: Only 43 new radio stations were commissioned by All India Radio during 2013-14, 2014-15 and 2015-16.

Of these, there were 36 in 2013-14; two in 2014-15; and five in 2015-16, Parliament has been informed.

Minister of State for Information and Broadcasting Rajyavardhan Rathore said Prasar Bharati has no year-wise planning to set up radio stations in the country.

However, schemes for setting up 128 AIR radio stations including 81 100W FM Relay Centres (approved under 10 - 11th Plans) have already been taken up for implementation during 2013-14, 2014-15 and 2015-16.

In addition to this, schemes for setting up of 113 new radio stations including 100W FM Relay Centre at 100 locations have also been approved under 12th Plan.

As the scheme for setting up of 100 W FM Relay Centre at 100 station is under revision, the scheme for setting up of only 13 more stations was taken up during the year 2014-15.

A total of 74 Radio stations including 50 100W FM Relay centres (approved under 10 - 11th Plans) are planned for commissioning during the year of 2016-17.

Meanwhile, he said in reply to another question that a major decision had been taken by starting seamless transmission at all Local Radio Stations and Vividh Bharati Service broadcasting on FM mode from 05:55 hrs to 23:10 hrs as a way to increase the listenership base.

All AIR Rainbow and AIR Gold channels in four metros and AIR Gold in Ludhiana are broadcasting for 24 hours. AIR has recently launched 24 hours ‘Ragam Channel’ dedicated to classical music thereby preserving and promoting India’s rich musical heritage.

AIR has also of late, started its mobile apps and internet live streaming and is also increasingly marking its presence on different social media platforms.
It has also taken other measures such as:

• Optimization of transmission hours.
• Creation of a mechanism to contain transmission break-downs.
• Relay of Vividh Bharati Service from 10 am to 5 pm on the local radio station network to increase saleable airtime.
• Switching over of Vividh Bharati Services from medium wave to FM Mode for attracting advertisers through a clear mode of transmission.
• Increased Broadcast of interactive programmes to increase direct participation of the listeners through phone-in programmes
• Launched on-line booking facility through virtual registered advertising agency.
• Availability of All India Radio platforms like mobile app and live streaming on websites for the listener on the move.