Vedanta Aluminium brings clean water to over 3,000 students in Koraput with 30 water purification units

THEBUSINESSBYTES BUREAU

BHUBANESWAR, NOVEMBER 25, 2025

In a significant step towards improving the health and well-being of students in rural Odisha, Vedanta Aluminium, India’s largest aluminium producer, has successfully installed 30 water purification units across schools in Kodingamali, Koraput district. This initiative, part of Vedanta’s flagship Water, Sanitation & Hygiene (WASH) programme, is set to benefit more than 3,000 students, providing them with consistent access to clean and safe drinking water.

The first of the water purification units was launched at U.N. Raju Girls’ High School, with the inauguration ceremony attended by Laxmipur MLA, Pabitra Saunta. Saunta emphasized the critical need for safe drinking water in schools across this region, underscoring the importance of such initiatives in promoting both health and education. “Safe and potable water is a pressing requirement for schools in our region. This intervention by Vedanta will go a long way in ensuring the daily health and wellbeing of our children,” said Saunta.

The water purification units, provided by Vedanta, are equipped with Tata Swach Community Water Purifiers that use cutting-edge Ultra Hollow Fibre (UHF) ultrafiltration technology. This advanced filtration system effectively removes harmful pathogens, including viruses, bacteria, and cysts, while retaining essential minerals to ensure the natural taste of water. The purifiers are designed to operate entirely on gravity, meaning they do not require electricity, making them ideal for rural schools with limited infrastructure or unreliable power supply. Furthermore, the units minimize water wastage, a key concern in areas with water scarcity.

In addition to filtering iron, sediments, chlorine, and other contaminants, the purifiers provide a reliable solution to the water challenges faced by schools in remote districts like Koraput. By addressing the issue of safe drinking water, Vedanta Aluminium is helping to create healthier and more resilient learning environments, in line with the company’s commitment to sustainable development.

Speaking on this initiative Pranab Kumar Bhattacharyya, CEO – Vedanta Alumina Business, said, “Our efforts are closely aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 6, which focuses on clean water and sanitation. By strengthening water infrastructure in schools, we aim to create cleaner, healthier learning ecosystems that help students stay focused, confident and prepare to excel.”

The impact of the project extends beyond just the provision of water. By improving the health of students, Vedanta is directly contributing to better academic performance and overall well-being. Access to clean water reduces the incidence of waterborne diseases, which are a significant barrier to education in rural areas.

MLA Pabitra Saunta said, “Providing clean drinking water across 30 schools in this region fulfils a vital requirement ensuring the well-being of students. These purification units will help children stay healthy and energised throughout the day, creating a more supportive environment for learning. I thank Vedanta Aluminium for addressing this critical need.”

Vedanta Aluminium has long been dedicated to driving social transformation in Odisha. Its corporate social responsibility initiatives extend across a wide range of sectors, including education, healthcare, sustainable livelihoods, rural infrastructure, and grassroots sports and culture. By collaborating closely with local authorities and community stakeholders, Vedanta ensures its efforts lead to meaningful socio-economic progress in its operational areas.

Vedanta Aluminium, a part of Vedanta Limited, is India’s largest producer of aluminium, with a production capacity of 2.42 million tonnes in FY25. The company is also recognized as a leader in sustainability, ranking second in the S&P Global Corporate Sustainability Assessment 2024 for the aluminium industry. Through its sustainable practices, Vedanta continues to play a vital role in shaping a greener, more sustainable future for India.