Union minister Ashwini Vaishnaw virtually inaugurates 20-kW FM radio transmitter in border area of Jaisalmer

JAISALMER: To counter cross-border propaganda emanating from Pakistan and strengthen communication infrastructure in India's frontier regions, the Central Government is establishing Doordarshan and FM radio stations across border areas from Kashmir to Kutch.

As part of this initiative, Union minister for railways, information & broadcasting, and electronics & information technology, Ashwini Vaishnaw, virtually inaugurated a new 20-kW Akashvani FM transmitter in the border region of Ramgarh, Jaisalmer district on Thursday.

The newly commissioned transmitter will provide radio coverage within an 80-kilometre radius, covering nearly 20,000 square kilometres of Jaisalmer district.

The virtual inauguration was attended by Barmer-Jaisalmer MP Umeda Ram Beniwal, Rajasthan energy minister Heeralal Nagar, Jaipur MP Manju Sharma, and Akashvani director General Rajeev Kumar Jain. At the Ramgarh venue, MLA Chhotu Singh Bhati, BJP district president Dalpat Hingra, officials of Akashvani, district administration representatives, BJP leaders, and local residents were present.

The powerful FM transmitter has been installed at the Doordarshan Tower Complex in Ramgarh. The inauguration generated considerable enthusiasm among local villagers and nationalist groups. With its commissioning, the total number of FM transmitters in Rajasthan has increased to 39.

The modern radio station has been dedicated to the public as a significant gift for radio listeners living in villages and remote settlements near the India-Pakistan border.

The digital broadcasting facility will enable people in far-flung border villages and hamlets to receive radio signals with clear digital-quality sound.

Officials said the high-power transmitter will substantially strengthen information dissemination and national integration in the border belt. Residents will now have better access to news, educational content, public service information, and entertainment programmes.

Addressing the event virtually from New Delhi, Union minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said special measures and programmes have been launched to strengthen the reach of Akashvani and Doordarshan in border areas. He said the government's vision is to create dedicated broadcasting infrastructure “from Kashmir to Kutch”, ensuring systematic expansion across the entire frontier.

He emphasized that the transmitter would benefit not only Jaisalmer but also surrounding regions, marking an important step toward strengthening communication infrastructure in border areas. The facility will ensure radio broadcasting across a vast stretch of the district within an 80-km radius.

Vaishnaw further stated that under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, extending technological and communication services to the country's remotest villages remains a top priority. He noted that the new radio station would serve not only as a medium of entertainment but also as a strategically important communication tool.

The Union minister also called for transforming the role of Prasar Bharati in the digital era. He stressed the need to adopt a “digital-first” and “hyper-local” approach to keep radio broadcasting relevant and directed officials to prepare a roadmap for this transformation. He also highlighted the importance of connecting local artists and artisans with broadcasting platforms.

MP Umeda Ram Beniwal said the expansion of communication facilities in border regions would prove to be a milestone in the area's development and fulfill a long-standing demand for improved connectivity.

MLA Chhotu Singh Bhati described the project as a major achievement for citizens and security personnel living along the border. He said the availability of clear radio signals would help counter misinformation from across the border while promoting Indian culture and authentic information in remote frontier areas.

Bhati added that the installation of such a high-capacity transmitter in the remote desert region would also provide a strong platform for local folk artists and help preserve and promote the rich cultural heritage of western Rajasthan.