Vedanta Aluminium illuminates 21 villages across Kalahandi and Rayagada districts with solar street lights

THEBUSINESSBYTES BUREAU

BHUBANESWAR, JULY 15, 2025

Vedanta Aluminium, India’s largest aluminium producer, has successfully installed 96 solar-powered streetlights across 21 villages in the Kalahandi and Rayagada districts of Odisha. These installations now serve as the primary source of illumination in areas that were previously deprived of any structured lighting, bringing transformative change to the lives of more than 5,000 residents. This green initiative not only ensures access to consistent, energy-efficient lighting but is also expected to help mitigate approximately 22 tonnes of CO₂ equivalent emissions annually—reinforcing Vedanta’s drive towards a low-carbon future.

This effort forms a vital part of a larger plan to deploy 150 solar-powered streetlights across the region, strategically targeting crucial public locations such as marketplaces, village entrances, bus stops, community centres, schools, and main roads. The intervention aims to significantly enhance night-time visibility, improve public safety, and create more inclusive, accessible public spaces for rural communities — especially benefitting children, the elderly, and women.

Aligned with Vedanta Aluminium’s broader vision to strengthen rural infrastructure and empower communities across its operational regions, the initiative also advances the company’s commitment to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals — specifically SDG 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy), SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities), and SDG 13 (Climate Action).

Rajiv Kumar, CEO, Vedanta Aluminium, said, “At Vedanta Aluminium, our development initiatives are rooted in the real needs of the communities we operate in. The solar lighting project in Kalahandi and Rayagada stands as a powerful demonstration of our commitment to both sustainability and inclusive development. It is deeply gratifying to see how these installations are already contributing to enhanced safety, better mobility, and an improved sense of well-being among villagers. Through such green infrastructure, we aim to build a brighter, safer, and more resilient future for rural India.”

Sharing community feedback, Jagannath Naik, Naib Sarpanch of Sunger Gram Panchayat, Kashipur Block, expressed, “Vedanta’s solar lighting initiative has truly brightened our villages — both literally and figuratively. It has made our environment safer, especially at night, and given us a dependable lighting solution. The entire community deeply values the company’s proactive approach to addressing local needs.”

This impactful initiative is one among several undertaken by Vedanta Aluminium as part of its ongoing efforts to drive positive transformation across Odisha. The company continues to implement targeted programs spanning quality education, accessible healthcare, sustainable livelihoods, infrastructure development, and the promotion of grassroots sports and cultural heritage. By working in close partnership with local authorities and community representatives, Vedanta ensures that each of its initiatives delivers meaningful, long-term socio-economic benefits.

A business of Vedanta Limited, Vedanta Aluminium is India’s foremost producer of aluminium, accounting for more than half of the country’s total production at 2.42 million tonnes in FY25. The company is a pioneer in producing high-quality, value-added aluminium products that support critical applications in core industries. In recognition of its sustainability leadership, Vedanta Aluminium was ranked 2nd globally in the S&P Global Corporate Sustainability Assessment 2024 for the aluminium sector. With its world-class smelters, alumina refinery, and power plants in India, the company remains dedicated to enabling emerging applications of aluminium as the ‘Metal of the Future’ — driving a greener and more sustainable tomorrow.