Centre approves license for 19 new private FM stations in Odisha

The Union Cabinet, chaired by PM Narendra Modi on Wednesday approved the rollout of 730 FM radio channels in 234 cities and towns including 19 new private FM stations in Odisha. These stations will start in Puri, Bhadrak, Balasore, Baripada, Berhampur and Sambalpur.

This will fulfill the unmet demand for FM radio in these cities/towns and also bring new/local content in the mother tongue, apart from creating new employment opportunities and boosting local dialect and culture and ‘vocal for local’ initiatives.

PM Modi’s decision to extend the Private FM Radio will also greatly enhance access to diverse and local content. This move is set to boost creativity, promote local languages, and celebrate regional cultures, thereby enriching the media landscape across the country.

“The FM radio rollout will fulfill the unmet demand in new cities and towns, which remain uncovered by the private FM radio broadcasting, and bring new and local content in the mother tongue,” said the government.

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This milestone in India's community radio journey will bring a substantive change in the lives of people in the coverage area of Apna Radio station, said Ashwini Vaishnaw, Minister of Information and Broadcasting of India.