Minister Gurung stresses preservation of Radio Nepal complex in Dharan

By Nisha Rai/Jay Krishna Yadav,Dharan/Inaruwa  June 7: Minister for Communication and Information Technology, Prithvi Subba Gurung, conducted an inspection visit of the Radio Nepal building and its surrounding land in Dharan Sub-Metropolitan City and the Nepal Television Itahari Channel office in Itahari on Friday.

Located in Dharan-8 near the industrial zone, the Radio Nepal complex comprises 18 bighas of land and a building that has been in use since 1990. During his inspection, Minister Gurung emphasised the need to preserve the premises and urged that government infrastructures should not be relocated from Dharan. 

He also visited the construction site of the upcoming smart bus park in the area.

Despite housing a 100-megawatt transmission tower to broadcast across Province 1, Radio Nepal ceased operations at the site following the relocation of its main office to Biratnagar. 

According to Mahendra Bista, Chairman of Radio Nepal, all equipment at the Dharan facility has since remained unused.

Bista further noted that with the advent of digital technology, continuing operations using the old analog system had become financially unsustainable, incurring electricity bills of Rs. 800,000 to 1,000,000 per month. 

A feasibility study is currently underway to determine whether the site can be repurposed for FM broadcasting.

During the inspection, local representatives and political leaders requested the Communication Minister to allow the temporary relocation of the Sunsari District Traffic Police Office to the vacant Radio Nepal land, even if on a rental basis. The police building is in a dilapidated state and leaks during the monsoon season, necessitating urgent repair or relocation.

Former Minister for Industry, Commerce and Supplies and central member of the Nepali Congress, Min Bahadur Bishwakarma, remarked that allowing the Traffic Police to use the premises would ensure the building’s maintenance and also help secure the area, which has become a hotspot for drug use.

Chairman Bista responded positively, stating that Radio Nepal would raise the proposal at the board meeting and was willing to provide the land rent-free for government use. 

He also affirmed that efforts were underway to revive Radio Nepal's operations from Dharan, potentially through FM broadcasting.

The inspection was attended by the Secretary at the Ministry of Communication and Information Technology, Radhika Aryal, former Mayor of Dharan Tilak Rai, Deputy Mayor Manju Bhandari, Koshi Province lawmaker Yasodha Kayastha and Nepali Congress Dharan President Shyam Pokhrel, among others.

Minister Gurung also inspected the Nepal Television Itahari Channel office.

After inspecting the Nepal Television Itahari Channel, which falls under Public Service Broadcasting (PSB), Minister Gurung also participated in an interaction programme.

While addressing the interaction programme organised after the monitoring and inspection of Radio Nepal and NTV channels under PSB, Minister Gurung said that news and information should be provided in favour of the public.

He said that Radio Nepal and NTV channels under PSB should work in the interest of the citizens. He also said that after assuming the office, he directly observed and inspected the status of Radio Nepal Dharan and the NTV channel to understand the ground reality.

Minister Gurung stressed that television should prioritise broadcasting issues directly related to the public -- such as settlement, culture, traditions, livelihoods, success stories and local concerns.

He further said that from the upcoming fiscal year, Radio Nepal and NTV channels under public service broadcasting must become self-sustainable.

Minister Gurung, who is also the spokesperson for the government, said that it is necessary to establish Radio Nepal and Nepal Television as the sources of news and communication for all Nepalis.