The situation began to change earlier this year when, after months of effort, AIR Pune restored its evening transmissions in April. Now, with the revival of the afternoon slot, beloved local programs such as Vanita Mandal, Sakhi Sandesh, and Bhavdhara will once again grace the airwaves.

Indrajit Bagal, Director of AIR Pune, expressed his satisfaction, stating, “The local afternoon transmission was halted due to higher directives two years ago. However, after multiple appeals, we have now received the green light to resume, much to the joy of our loyal audience.”

AIR Pune, which has been in operation since 1953, remains one of the most listened-to stations in the country. Prasar Bharati data confirms that Pune boasts the largest number of AIR listeners nationwide, underscoring the importance of restoring local broadcasts.

Call for Technological Upgrades at AIR Pune

In addition to celebrating the return of local content, listeners have raised the demand for much-needed technological upgrades. Currently operating on medium wave (MW), AIR Pune has been urged to transition to FM, which would enhance broadcast quality and cater to modern listener preferences. Many are also calling for the launch of AIR’s FM Rainbow channel in Pune, which is already available in 25 cities across India.

Furthermore, with Marathi now recognized as a classical language, there has been increased momentum for the introduction of a dedicated Akashvani Marathi channel, a move that could further enrich regional content for Marathi-speaking audiences.