THEBUSINESSBYTES BUREAU
JHARSUGUDA, FEBRUARY 23, 2026
Vedanta Aluminium, India’s largest producer of aluminium, has deployed
Odisha’s first all-women power operations team, which will be responsible for
managing a 135 MW power unit at its Jharsuguda facility, the world’s largest
aluminium plant. In the run-up to Women’s Day 2026, this marks a significant
reiteration of the company’s commitment to building a diverse workplace across
its operations while fostering greater inclusivity within India’s mining and
metals industry.
Modern aluminium smelters require a continuous and reliable supply of
energy to function effectively, making power operations a critical component of
the overall aluminium manufacturing process. Vedanta Aluminium’s mega plant in
Jharsuguda has a power generation capacity of 3,615 MW, comprising four units
of 600 MW each and nine units of 135 MW each. The all-women team is now set to
handle the day-to-day operations of an entire 135 MW thermal power generation
unit.
The initiative, undertaken in partnership with business partner NGSL, has
onboarded qualified female engineers across a range of operations and
maintenance roles, including desk engineers, turbine operators, mill operators,
switchgear operators and more. Together, they represent diverse engineering disciplines,
including Electrical and Mechanical. The selected team members will undergo a
comprehensive six-month training programme focused on technical, operational
and leadership capability building, delivered through a blend of onsite and
classroom-based modules.
Commenting on the milestone, Rajiv Kumar, CEO, Vedanta Aluminium, said, “This initiative demonstrates that women are not just participating in heavy industry, they are leading critical operations. Entrusting a 135 MW power unit to an all-women team reflects our belief that capability defines leadership. As we progress toward 30% women representation by 2030, we remain committed to setting benchmarks for inclusive industrial growth in India.”
According to the Odisha Economic Survey 2025-26, the state’s female labour force participation rate has risen from 37.6 per cent in 2022 to 48.7 per cent in 2024, surpassing the national average. In line with this momentum, Vedanta Aluminium has been steadily advancing gender diversity by creating meaningful pathways for women to thrive in core industrial roles. At Jharsuguda, this includes pioneering milestones such as India’s first all-women potline team, the company’s first all-women locomotive crew, and Agnivahini, its all-women fire and emergency response team. The company is also the first in Odisha to introduce women employees into night-shift operations through the Shree Shakti initiative. Additionally, it supports women across life stages through flexible working arrangements, including a ‘No-Questions-Asked’ work-from-home policy, while identifying and developing high-potential women leaders through tailored growth programmes.
