Vedanta Aluminium boosts workplace safety with large-scale mock drill at Jharsuguda

THEBUSINESSBYTES BUREAU

JHARSUGUDA, SEPTEMBER 3, 2025

Vedanta Aluminium, India’s largest producer of aluminium, in partnership with the Directorate of Factories and Boilers, Government of Odisha, conducted a large-scale onsite mock drill at its mega aluminium plant in Jharsuguda. The exercise reaffirmed the company’s strong commitment to workplace safety and high standards of emergency preparedness.

The drill simulated a fire outbreak in the fuel oil storage area of the captive power plant (CPP), aimed at testing and strengthening the plant’s emergency response systems for handling flammable liquids. The exercise was closely monitored by Swaroop Jena, Deputy Director of Factories & Boilers, Sambalpur Division, and Archana Das, Assistant Director of Factories & Boilers, Jharsuguda Zone. Senior leaders from Vedanta Aluminium were also present to oversee the activity.

Vedanta employees across multiple teams — including security personnel, the combat team, fire and rescue units, auxiliary staff, and safety teams — actively participated in the drill. The teams worked in close coordination to contain the simulated fire by swiftly deploying firefighting equipment, securing the affected zone, and providing immediate first-aid support.

Commenting on the initiative, C. Chandru, CEO – Vedanta Jharsuguda, said, “At Vedanta Aluminium, our vision of ‘Zero Harm’ drives every aspect of our operations. Mock drills like this are vital to strengthening our emergency preparedness and fostering a culture of collective responsibility. By working closely with government agencies, industry experts, and business partners, we are building a resilient, safety-first ecosystem for everyone at our operations.”

Adding his perspective, Swaroop Jena, Deputy Director of Factories & Boilers, Sambalpur Division, noted, “Regular emergency drills enable us to assess systems in real time and improve coordination across teams. This exercise further enhanced our preparedness to respond effectively to critical scenarios, while reinforcing Vedanta’s safety-first approach at all levels of the organisation.”

Vedanta Aluminium has consistently emphasised robust and world-class safety practices across its plant locations. Alongside regular mock drills conducted in collaboration with the Directorate of Factories and Boilers, the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), and the Odisha State Disaster Management Authority (OSDMA), Vedanta Jharsuguda has introduced several pioneering safety initiatives. These include virtual reality training for truck and technical drivers on safe driving, the Suraksha Sankalp and safety stand-down programmes to instil behaviour-based safety practices, and the creation of Agnivahini — an all-women firefighting squad — at its operations.