Lok Sabha Unstarred Question No. 860, to be answered on 04.02.2026, addresses the setting up of new FM Radio stations in Karnataka. Shri Kota Srinivasa Poojary asks the Minister of Information and Broadcasting about the Government's plans to set up new FM radio stations, specifically in Karnataka and Chikkamagalur District; the expected timeline; details of currently functioning FM radio stations in Karnataka; and whether any sanctioned FM stations in Karnataka have not yet started services.
According to the Minister of State for Information and Broadcasting and Parliamentary Affairs, (Dr. L. Murugan), All India Radio (AIR) has 591 broadcasting stations in the country, including 24 Akashvani FM stations in Karnataka. Further details are available at https://prasarbharati.gov.in/radio-network/. A 100 W FM Relay Station at Sringeri in Chikkamagalur District is currently functional. The government has approved 68 new Akashvani FM transmitters across the country under the Broadcasting Infrastructure and Network Development (BIND) Scheme for 2021-26. Two of these are in Karnataka: Shimoga (10 kW) and Udupi (1 kW). The new transmitters are currently at various stages of implementation.
Key Entities Referenced
Broadcasting Infrastructure and Network Development (BIND) Scheme: A scheme for the establishment of new Akashvani FM transmitters across the country.
Ministry of Information & Broadcasting: The central government ministry responsible for policy related to information and broadcasting.
Karnataka: Indian state where new FM radio stations are to be set up.
All India Radio (AIR): Operates broadcasting stations including Akashvani FM stations.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF INFORMATION & BROADCASTING
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION No. 860
(TO BE ANSWERED ON 04.02.2026)
SETTING UP OF NEW FM RADIO STATIONS IN KARNATAKA
860. SHRI KOTA SRINIVASA POOJARY:
Will the Minister of INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING be pleased to state:
a) whether the Government proposes to set up new FM Radio stations and if so, the details
thereof especially in Karnataka;
b) whether the Government propose to set up FM Stations at three locations at
Chikkamagalur District and if so, the details thereof;
c) the time by which these FM stations are likely to be set up;
d) the details of the FM radio stations functioning in Karnataka at present; and
e) whether some of the FM stations sanctioned have not started services and if so, the details
thereof especially in Karnataka?
ANSWER
THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING AND
PARLIAMENTARY AFFAIRS
(DR. L. MURUGAN)(a) to (e) All India Radio (AIR) has 591 Broadcasting stations in the country, including 24
Akashvani FM stations in the State of Karnataka. Their details are available on the Prasar Bharati
website https://prasarbharati.gov.in/radio-network/. Out of the 24 FM stations, a 100 W FM
Relay Station at Sringeri in Chikkamagalur District is functional at present.
The Government has approved the establishment of 68 new Akashvani FM transmitters across
the country under the Broadcasting Infrastructure and Network Development (BIND) Scheme
for 2021-26. These transmitters are at various stages of implementation. Of these, 2 FM
transmitters have been sanctioned in the State of Karnataka, namely Shimoga (10 kW) and
Udupi (1 kW) under the scheme.
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