I&B Minister Anurag Singh Thakur Launches India's Highest Altitude TV, Radio Transmitters In Ladakh

Union Minister of Information and Broadcasting Anurag Singh Thakur on Saturday (25 September) launched the high power transmitters of Doordarshan and All India Radio at Hamboting La near Kargil in Ladakh.

The 10 kilowatt (KW) transmitters are the highest altitude TV and Radio transmitters in the country, located at the height of 4054 metre (about 13,300 ft) above the mean sea level, the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting said in a statement.

The transmitters at Leh are at the altitude of 3501 metre (about 11,450 ft), it added.

Speaking on the occasion, Thakur noted that Hamboting La site is one of the most difficult locations considering the hostile weather conditions and geographical terrain.

He complimented the team of engineers and workers for completing the project in such hostile weather conditions.

According to the ministry, the range of the transmitters is over 50 km in radius.

Observing that transmitters would cover a population of about 50,000 in the remote border area of Kargil, Thakur said that the number may look small compared to other parts of the country, but it demonstrates the commitment of Central Government to reach each and every citizen in the border areas.

The minister also announced that the Ladakhi contribution to DD Kashir will be doubled from 30 minutes to one hour daily from 1 October.

According to the ministry, Thakur said that border coverage by strong signals of radio and television is an important aspect of broadcasting policies of the government.

The minister said that it is not only required for providing correct information to the people in the sensitive border areas of J&K and Ladakh but also to counter the propaganda from the hostile neighbours.

The strengthening of terrestrial coverage in border areas also allows the viewers and listeners to be adequately informed about the country’s policies, news and current affairs and simultaneously be entertained by variety of programmes, he added.

This will also make educational content available for the students in this region through DD and AIR.

Through its TV, radio and digital platforms, Prasar Bharati has been offering various educational contents for school and college students in collaboration with various state education departments and institutions, the ministry said.

Speaking on the occasion J T Namgyal, Member of Parliament from Ladakh, said that the new transmitters show the Centre’s commitment towards the development of the region.