Port Blair, June 18: The Member of Parliament of Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Mr. Kuldeep Rai Sharma has requested the CEO, Prasar Bharati, New Delhi to allow Vividh Bharati Port Blair FM channel to continue telecast of entertainment programmes and not to simulcast with Primary Channel (Air Port Blair)
In a letter addressed to the CEO, Prasar Bharati, New Delhi, the Member of Parliament mentioned that the Vividh Bharati FM Port Blair has been doing a commendable job since its inception in 2019. In the absence of any private FM channel this channel has been a major source of information and entertainment for Islanders.
He pointed out that he has been informed that Prasar Bharati is going to simulcast (merge) programmes of Primary Channel (Air Port Blair) in Vividh Bharati FM Port Blair. Which clearly means that Vividh Bharati will no longer be available to listeners of Port Blair?
He pointed out that there is no logic behind a 100 KW transmitter and 10 KW FM transmitters broadcasting the same programmes at a time. It is actually a waste of national resources, he added.
He said that considering the fact that our Islands are a tourist destination, there is much more need for an entertainment FM channel. Hence he requested the CEO, Prasar Bharati to ensure the existence of Vividh Bharati service in Port Blair and let Vividh Bharati Port Blair FM carry separate entertainment programmes.
“If possible, as per earlier requests, kindly expand the Vividh Bharati Port Blair FM transmission to other prominent Islands of Andaman and Nicobar,” he added.
