100pc Women Operators Power Vedanta Aluminium Lanjigarh’s Control Rooms

THEBUSINESSBYTES BUREAU

LANJIGARH, AUGUST 22, 2026

In the high-stakes world of manufacturing, where precision, composure and split-second decisions can shape the course of operations, a quiet transformation is underway at Vedanta Aluminium’s Lanjigarh refinery. At the heart of one of the world’s largest alumina refineries, women are taking charge of the control rooms, monitoring complex processes and making critical real-time decisions that keep the plant safe, stable and efficient. Today, 100 per cent of the refinery’s Control Room Operator (CRO) workforce comprises women — an achievement that goes beyond numbers to reflect a broader shift in industrial workplaces, where technical competence, confidence and performance are redefining traditional perceptions of manufacturing roles.

The women operators are supported by a diverse operations team comprising four Duty Officers (DOs) and 16 Control Room Engineers (CREs), including nine women and seven men. Together, they foster a collaborative and inclusive work environment while managing one of the refinery’s most critical operational functions. Their growing presence in these roles demonstrates how talent, technical expertise and determination are shaping the future of industrial operations.

At the heart of the refinery’s operations is the Distributed Control System (DCS), which integrates hundreds of data streams and enables seamless monitoring and control of production processes. As Control Room Operators, the women monitor process parameters, analyse operational trends, assess safety alarms and take swift, informed decisions to maintain stable and efficient operations. Working from the refinery’s command hub—where every second matters and every decision can have a significant impact—they play a vital role in ensuring safe, reliable and uninterrupted operations.

Their expertise, precision and ability to manage complex processes underscore the changing face of industrial workplaces, where capability and performance are increasingly becoming the defining measures of excellence.

Commenting on this, Pranab Kumar Bhattacharyya, CEO, Alumina Business, Vedanta Aluminium, Lanjigarh, said: “The women leading our Control Rooms exemplify the technical excellence, commitment and leadership that strengthen our operations every day. Their achievements reflect our belief in fostering an inclusive workplace where every individual has the opportunity to excel and contribute meaningfully to our growth.”

For Ankita Rath, the Control Room represents far more than a workplace. It is where she has grown professionally, evolved personally and discovered her own strengths. Since joining Vedanta Aluminium in 2017, Ankita has worked across Laboratory and Production DCS functions, steadily expanding her expertise and embracing new challenges. Alongside building a rewarding career, she has also embraced motherhood, reflecting the many dimensions of her journey.

One of her proudest professional memories is being part of the team that helped Vedanta Aluminium Lanjigarh achieve its highest-ever alumina production in 2025. “Being part of a team that achieved such a milestone is deeply fulfilling. It shows that every contribution counts when we work together,” she said.

A similar journey of growth has shaped Nisika Das, a Control Room Engineer with the Production DCS team. When she joined Vedanta Aluminium in 2023 as a fresher, it was her first experience of living and working away from home. As she settled into her role, she found opportunities to learn, build her technical expertise and contribute to one of the refinery’s most critical functions.

A defining moment in her journey came during the commissioning of the refinery’s 3 MTPA expansion project, when she witnessed the first alumina output from the new facility. “That milestone gave me immense confidence. It shaped my resilience and helped me grow both professionally and personally,” she recalls.

The experiences of Ankita, Nisika and their colleagues reflect a larger transformation underway at Vedanta Aluminium Lanjigarh. Women are not merely participating in core manufacturing operations; they are increasingly taking ownership of roles that demand technical expertise, sound judgement, quick decision-making and unwavering focus on operational excellence.

Appreciating their dedication and contribution, Jitendra Kumar Saini, Manager – DCS Production, VAML, said: “The Central Control Room is the nerve centre of the refinery. Our operators are the eyes and ears of the plant, making real-time decisions with precision and composure. They are vital to operational excellence.”

At Vedanta Aluminium Lanjigarh, the growing presence of women in Control Room operations represents more than a changing workforce. It signals the emergence of a new generation of manufacturing professionals who are challenging conventional perceptions, building technical careers and helping shape the future of industrial operations. Through skill, commitment, continuous learning and confidence, these women are demonstrating that when opportunity meets talent, excellence knows no stereotype.