Weather channel from May 2008

The long-awaited weather channel of the Ministry of Earth Sciences will finally be operational by May 2008, it was announced on Friday. The channel will initially broadcast programmes for six hours in the day, Earth Sciences Minister Kapil Sibal said. By 2012, it will become a full 24-hour weather channel.

The channel, to be run on a public-private partnership, will offer a host of weather-related information, especially catering to farmers. 8220;This channel will be one of the most visible achievements of the UPA Government from the Ministry of Earth Sciences,8221; Sibal said on the sidelines of a function to mark the first anniversary of the Earth Sciences Ministry. 8220;The launch of this channel is in consonance with the UPA efforts to reach out to the rural sector.8221;

It is part of a major effort to upgrade the Meteorological Department for which the Government has earmarked Rs 900 crore. He said by next year most of the upgradation work will be completed.