NEW DELHI: The Centre will launch two new radio stations in the Union territories of Jammu and Kashmir , and Ladakh in the first week of November, shortly after the administrative bifurcation kicks in at month end.

The two new radio stations, government sources told TOI, will be set up in Uri , in the Kashmir valley bordering Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir (PoK), and in Himbotingla , Ladakh, at a distance of about 60km from Kargil. Both locations have been chosen for their strategic significance and are a part of the government’s outreach to local population in both UTs, especially in the aftermath of the bifurcation.

Himbotingla, located at a height of over 13,000 feet, will be All India Radio ’s highest FM station. Both installations, which are now ready for launch, have been fitted with high power transmitters and allow for modulation of frequencies.

To ensure that bad weather does not come in the way of the government’s airwave management, the pubcaster has also increased its footprint in newer parts of the hill regions, with FM installations installed in Patnitop, Naushera, Udhampur, Riasi, Poonch and Bhaderwah, in addition to the public broadcaster’s existing setup in Jammu and Srinagar.

Sources said the two radio stations will also help the Indian government counter Pakistani and Chinese airwave “incursion” into India villages and districts bordering the two countries. The massive expansion of the national broadcaster, officials said, will fend off radio waves that ripple into Indian homes in the bordering regions and which relay multi-lingual programmes, news, and commentary, often including anti-India propaganda.

The Centre has maintained that it is making several efforts to restore normalcy in J&K, including by restoring mobile phone networks and lifting other existing curbs. In continuation of these efforts, the new FM stations will provide people access to information related to developmental initiatives of the government and will help reach out to people living in remote and mountainous areas of the hill regions.

