Argus News - Vedanta Aluminium Enhances Safe Drinking Water Access for Odisha Villages

Rayagada, Feb 16: Vedanta Aluminium, India’s largest producer of aluminium, has expanded its community health initiatives by installing solar-powered borewells integrated with advanced water purification systems in villages across Kalahandi and Rayagada districts, officials said on Monday.

The project, part of the company’s ‘Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene’ (WASH) programme, is benefiting more than 3,000 villagers with reliable access to clean drinking water.

The installations, located in Chulbadi, Sunger, Dhamanghati, Dumerpadar, Sagabari, Ladakhaman, and Siadimal, have been formally handed over to Panchayat Raj Institutions (PRIs) to ensure community ownership and long-term sustainability. Local residents were trained in system usage and upkeep in the presence of Sarpanches and PRI representatives.

Each borewell is powered by a 1.5 kW solar unit operating a 1 HP submersible pump, enabling water extraction from deep aquifers. The purification units employ TSRF™ nanotechnology, which uses rice husk-derived filtration media infused with nano-silver particles to neutralize harmful microorganisms. Multi-layer micro-mesh filtration removes suspended impurities, while a gravity-based purification mechanism ensures efficient operation with minimal power dependency. Each system can purify up to 500 litres per hour and includes dedicated potable-water storage.

Highlighting the company’s commitment to sustainable development, Rajiv Kumar, CEO of Vedanta Aluminium, said, “Our community efforts are closely aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, particularly SDG 6 on clean water and sanitation. By enhancing access to safe drinking water and improving sanitation infrastructure, we aim to create healthier, more resilient communities.”

Local leaders welcomed the initiative. Gunasingh Majhi, Sarpanch of Sunger Gram, said, “Access to potable water is a critical need in our region, given the high iron content in groundwater. These solar-powered facilities address longstanding concerns around water quality and availability, especially ahead of the summer months.”

Vedanta Aluminium continues to drive social transformation in Odisha through initiatives spanning education, healthcare, sustainable livelihoods, rural infrastructure, and grassroots sports and culture. By collaborating with local authorities and community stakeholders, the company aims to ensure tangible socio-economic progress in its operational areas.