Social and RTI activist Vijay Kumar Srivastava has demanded the development of the Bathnaha Akashwani (All India Radio) Relay Center, located on the India-Nepal border in Araria district, into a full-fledged studio. He has sent letters to Union Information and Broadcasting Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw and Prasar Bharati Chairman Prasoon Joshi, requesting necessary action in this regard. A copy of the letter has also been sent to the MP of Araria.

In his letter, Vijay Kumar Srivastava highlighted that currently, only a relay center of Akashwani operates within the SSB campus in Bathnaha. Given its strategic location on the India-Nepal border, this area holds significant importance. Establishing a full studio here would enable the effective dissemination of government schemes, factual news, and public interest information at the local level in border areas.

He further emphasized that a large part of the Seemanchal region, including Araria, Purnia, Kishanganj, and Supaul, is affected by floods annually. During disasters, when electricity and mobile networks are disrupted, Akashwani can serve as a crucial medium. With a full studio, local information related to floods, weather warnings, relief efforts, and administrative directives could be broadcast immediately, providing timely assistance to the public.

Srivastava also pointed out that a full studio would offer a national platform for folk artists, singers, litterateurs, poets, and youth from Seemanchal to showcase their talent. Moreover, local cultural diversity encompassing Maithili, Angika, Koch-Rajbanshi, Tharu, Nepali, and Hindi languages could be preserved through various programs. This initiative would also generate employment opportunities in program production and technical fields. He concluded that a full Akashwani studio in Bathnaha would strengthen cultural ties between India and Nepal, preserve local culture, and effectively deliver government information to border regions.