BARISHAL, Apr 24: The country's only state-run radio station in the southern region is struggling to survive, with outdated transmitters and poor maintenance leaving its broadcasts barely audible beyond a few kilometres.
Bangladesh Betar Barishal, equipped with a 20-kilowatt medium wave and a 10-kilowatt FM transmitter, airs programmes for 14 hours and 15 minutes daily in two sessions. But listeners say the FM signal does not reach beyond a one-kilometre radius of the city, while the medium wave signal fades after 10-15 kilometres.
Established to provide early warnings of cyclones, tidal surges, and floods to vulnerable coastal communities, the station is now failing to serve its original purpose. Locals fear that without urgent modernization, the centre will lose relevance altogether.
During a recent visit, Information and Broadcasting Minister Zahir Uddin Swapan acknowledged the crisis and directed officials to prepare short, medium, and long-term plans for upgrading the station. He assured that necessary steps would be taken to strengthen the facility for the safety of coastal residents.
The idea of a radio station in Barishal dates back to 1978, when President Ziaur Rahman approved a 10-kilowatt station to be built on 25 acres in Ruiya. But the project stalled after his assassination and was cancelled in 1982 under the Ershad regime.
In 1991, the BNP government revived the plan, with President Abdur Rahman Biswas and local MP Mujibur Rahman Sarwar pushing for implementation. By 1992, a Tk 18 crore project was approved, and land was acquired in Rupatali. The station began test transmissions in June 1996, but was not formally inaugurated until June 1999 by then prime minister Sheikh Hasina.
By then, the transmitters had already lost half their lifespan. Since then, the station has been kept running through repairs and patchwork, but its signals have steadily weakened. Last week, the FM transmitter was out of service for three days before being restored, though its output has dropped to just 1-2 kilowatts.
Officials admit the ageing equipment is beyond repair. The outgoing regional engineer said, "We are trying our best to keep the signal alive, but the transmitters are too old. A new 10-kilowatt FM transmitter is planned, with tenders to be invited on May 3."
For now, Bangladesh Betar Barishal continues to broadcast, but its reach remains minimal. Without urgent investment, the station-once envisioned as a lifeline for millions in the disaster-prone south-risks becoming obsolete.
