Vedanta Installs Solar-Powered Lighting and Drinking Water Facilities in Odisha Villages

Bhubaneswar, Oct 13: In a bid to strengthen rural infrastructure and improve access to essential services, Vedanta Aluminium has expanded solar-powered community facilities across villages in Odisha's Kalahandi and Rayagada districts, officials said on Tuesday.

The initiative includes the installation of solar streetlights and solar-powered drinking water systems aimed at enhancing safety, accessibility and quality of life for residents in the Sijimali region.

Access to reliable community lighting sources and safe drinking water has been enhanced across several villages in Odisha’s Kalahandi and Rayagada districts, with Vedanta Aluminium, India’s largest aluminium producer, installing 146 solar street lighting units across 20 villages in the region.

In addition, the company has also installed solar-powered drinking water facilities in seven villages. Together, these initiatives are expected to benefit over 3,000 people and help address their essential infrastructural needs.

For many villages in Odisha’s Sijimali region, limited lighting along roads and public spaces can make it difficult to move around after sunset, particularly for women, children and elderly residents. Improved lighting is helping make common areas safer and easier to access during evening hours.

Alongside this effort, Vedanta Aluminium has expanded access to safe drinking water in seven villages across Kalahandi and Rayagada by providing solar-powered drinking water facilities that help families access clean and purified water closer to their homes. Designed to support everyday household requirements, the facilities are helping improve access to an essential service while strengthening rural infrastructure in communities surrounding Sijimali.

Speaking on the initiative, Pranab Kumar Bhattacharyya, CEO, Alumina Business, Vedanta Aluminium, said, “Odisha’s growth story is closely connected with the progress of its communities. As we strengthen our presence in the region, we believe that meaningful development must extend beyond industrial operations to create a positive difference in people’s lives. Through these initiatives, we are focusing on access to essential infrastructure, renewable energy and improved living conditions for surrounding villages, contributing to a more inclusive and sustainable future for Odisha.”

Sharing the impact of the initiative, a resident of Ladakhaman village said that improved lighting has made movement safer after sunset, while better access to drinking water has eased daily challenges for families.

Through these initiatives, Vedanta Aluminium’s Sijimali Bauxite Mines continues to focus on community well-being, sustainable infrastructure and responsible mining practices while contributing to rural development in the region.