Vedanta Aluminium Sets New Standard with First Women-Operated Smelter Line!

Vedanta Aluminium, India’s top aluminium producer, has made significant strides in gender diversity by launching the first-ever women-operated smelter line at its plant in Jharsuguda, Odisha, one of the largest aluminium smelters in the world. This initiative is a part of Vedanta’s ongoing commitment to fostering inclusivity and empowering women in core manufacturing roles, especially in traditionally male-dominated industries like metals, mining, and heavy engineering.

As part of this transformative project, one of the potlines at the Jharsuguda plant will be managed entirely by women, marking a historic milestone in the company’s diversity efforts. The potline, integral to the aluminium smelting process, will undergo a phased transition, with over 100 women being trained and deployed across various operational roles. These women have been selected through internal postings, diversity programs, and outreach initiatives, and have received specialized on-the-job training to ensure a seamless transition into their new roles.

Sunil Gupta, Chief Operating Officer at Vedanta Aluminium, emphasized the importance of diversity and inclusion in driving innovation and excellence. “Empowering women in essential manufacturing roles breaks stereotypes and sets the stage for a more equitable, future-ready workplace,” he stated. Pankaj Sureka, Chief Human Resource Officer, added that Vedanta’s approach to ‘Shakti se Pragati’ reflects their commitment to empowering women in all roles, from the shop floor to leadership positions.

Vedanta Aluminium is also working to make all roles gender-neutral, providing women with the opportunity to take on responsibilities across diverse areas such as smelting, mining, power generation, logistics, security, and procurement. The company has set a goal to achieve 30% female workforce representation by FY2030, with an emphasis on hiring women for new roles to maintain a gender-balanced workforce. Additionally, initiatives like Project Shree Shakti, which allows women to work night shifts, and Project Panchhi, supporting young girls from marginalized communities with financial aid for education and career opportunities, further demonstrate Vedanta’s commitment to empowering women in the workforce.

As the largest aluminium producer in India, Vedanta Aluminium continues to lead by example, setting industry standards for gender diversity, sustainability, and innovation in manufacturing.