The Union government has approved All India Radio's (AIR) proposal for setting up a frequency modulation (FM) station in Alappuzha, where there is no such facility either in the private or the government sector.

The present AIR (medium wave) station here only relays the programmes from Thiruvananthapuram and New Delhi stations.

Union minister of state for power K C Venugopal said the AIR project for setting up FM stations in various parts of the country had received cabinet approval and the Alappuzha FM station was part of this.

"The work of the station is expected to start soon and I am keeping in touch with the information and broadcasting ministry in this connection," Venugopal said.

AIR Alappuzha superintending engineer T George said the ministry had also resolved to give permission for setting up private FM stations in Alappuzha. The project has been approved under the 12th five year plan.

The upcoming FM station will have 10kW power and a 50-km coverage at the primary level.

"AIR New Delhi office will soon invite tenders for erecting tower and transmitters for the Alappuzha FM station. It will be set up in the 33-acre transmitting radio station land at Pathirapally," George said.

The transmitting station was commissioned in 1971 with a 100kW capacity. In 1999, its capacity was upgraded to 200kW. Though Alappuzha station is the highest power transmitting station in the state, it does not possess either a studio or a production wing.

It was the effort of Gandhi Smaraka Grama Seva Kendram, Kanjikkuzhy and a group of senior citizens led by retired agriculture officer T S Viswan that resulted in Alappuzha getting an FM station. They have met the Union ministers from Alappuzha several times in this regard."K C Venugopal has ensured us that the work of the station will begin soon. We have also requested the minister that the Alappuzha FM station should give importance to agriculture-oriented programmes," said GSGSK general secretary Jagadeesan K G.

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