In response to Unstarred Question No. 634 for the Lok Sabha, to be answered on 03.12.2025, regarding the upgradation and modernization of the All India Radio (AIR) Station at Kavaratti, the Minister of State for Information and Broadcasting and Parliamentary Affairs (Dr. L. Murugan) stated that the Government of India upgraded the AIR Station at Kavaratti from 1 kW Medium Wave to a 10 kW Low Power Relay Station in 2016. A 100 W Frequency Modulation (FM) relay setup is also operational. A multipurpose studio with digital recording facilities has been provided for local programme production. The upgradation and modernisation work of the All India Radio Station at Kavaratti has been completed. Prasar Bharati is broadcasting more than 260 AIR channels across the country, including Kavaratti, through the “NewsonAIR” mobile app and the WAVES OTT platform.
Key Entities Referenced
All India Radio (AIR): National public radio broadcaster of India; the subject of the upgradation and modernization mentioned in the document.
Kavaratti: Capital city of the Union Territory of Lakshadweep, location of the All India Radio station being upgraded.
Ministry of Information & Broadcasting: The government ministry responsible for the administration of rules, regulations and laws relating to information, broadcasting and the press in India.
Prasar Bharati: Statutory autonomous body responsible for public service broadcasting in India, of which All India Radio is a division.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF INFORMATION & BROADCASTING
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION No. 634
(TO BE ANSWERED ON 03.12.2025)
UPGRADATION AND MODERNIZATION OF ALL INDIA RADIO STATION
AT KAVARATTI
634. SHRI MUHAMMED HAMDULLAH SAYEED:
Will the Minister of INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING be pleased to
state:
(a) whether the Government has taken any steps for the
upgradation and modernization of the All India Radio (AIR)
Station at Kavaratti in the Union Territory of Lakshadweep;
(b) if so, the details of the proposed upgrades including
improvements in transmission capacity, studio facilities and
staffing;
(c) whether the Government is aware that the existing
infrastructure at AIR Kavaratti is outdated and affects the
quality and reach of broadcasting services to the island
communities;
(d) if so, whether the Government is likely to take urgent steps to
sanction funds and expedite the upgradation works in order to
ensure uninterrupted and quality broadcasting services to the
people of Lakshadweep; and(e) the timeline proposed by the Government for completing the
upgradation of AIR Kavaratti?
ANSWER
THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING
AND PARLIAMENTARY AFFAIRS
(DR. L. MURUGAN)
(a) to (e): In 2016, Government of India upgraded the All India Radio
(AIR) Station at Kavaratti from 1 kW Medium Wave to a 10 kW Low
Power Relay Station.
A 100 W Frequency Modulation (FM) relay setup is also operational at
this station. A multipurpose studio has also been provided at the
station for local programme production, along with digital recording
facilities.
The upgradation and modernisation work of the All India Radio Station
at Kavaratti has been completed.
Further, Prasar Bharati is broadcasting more than 260 AIR channels
across the country, including Kavaratti, through the “NewsonAIR”
mobile app. In addition, AIR channels are also available on the WAVES
OTT platform.
*****