Vedanta Aluminium has announced that a smelter line at Jharsuguda in Odisha is to be operated and maintained exclusively by women employees.
As part of this initiative, one of the potlines of the smelter, located in a special economic zone, is being transitioned into a fully women-managed operation. A potline is a component of the aluminium smelting process, where electrolytic reduction is carried out to produce aluminium metal.
The project will be executed in three phases with more than 100 duty positions identified across various levels, expertise, and competencies. Women employees from across the smelter and other business units have been selected through internal job postings, diversity connect programmes, and information dissemination initiatives. These employees are undergoing specialised on-the-job training, supported by technical anchors and senior leadership to ensure a seamless transition.
Creating future-ready workplace
Quoting Sunil Gupta, Chief Operating Officer of Vedanta Aluminium, a media statement said: “We believe that diversity and inclusion are key drivers of innovation and operational excellence. By empowering women with greater opportunities in core manufacturing roles, we are not only breaking industry stereotypes but also creating an equitable, future-ready workplace. This initiative at one of the world’s largest smelters is testament to our commitment to fostering gender diversity across our business.”
Pankaj Sureka, Chief Human Resource Officer of Vedanta Aluminium, said: “At Vedanta Aluminium, we believe in the philosophy of ‘Shakti se Pragati’ or progress through empowerment. We are creating equal opportunities and accelerating actions that enable women to lead across all functions, from shop floors to leadership roles.”
The statement said that Vedanta Aluminium is aiming for 30 per cent women workforce representation by FY2030. To ensure gender-balanced recruitment, Vedanta Aluminium prioritizes 50 per cent women hiring for fresher roles.
It said that the company has launched several initiatives to enhance female participation in the metals and mining industry. These include the project ‘Shree Shakti’, which introduced night shifts for women in Odisha operations, and project ‘Panchhi’, which is transforming the lives of young girls from marginalised communities by providing financial aid for higher education and employment opportunities at Vedanta Aluminium, the statement added.
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