The Business Bytes
TBB BUREAU
JHARSUGUDA, DEC 8, 2022
Vedanta Aluminium, India’s largest producer of aluminium, has helped establish an Emergency Response Centre at the District Collector’s Office in Jharsuguda to bolster the safety and security of the local communities. The facility includes a 24×7 emergency helpline number and essential safety gear (PPEs) that will enable authorities to ably respond to emergency calls from residents, by equipping them better and significantly reducing their response times.
Jharsuguda Collector Saroj Kumar Samal inaugurated the facility in the presence of Superintendent of Police Rahul Jain, Sambalpur Division Deputy Director of Factories and Boilers Swaroop Jena, Assistant Director of Factories and Boilers, Jharsuguda Manoj Mishra and other senior officials from the district along with Vedanta Ltd. Jharsuguda CEO Sunil Gupta and other officials of the company.
Speaking on Vedanta Aluminium’s safety-first culture, CEO Sunil Gupta, said, “At Vedanta Aluminium, we consistently strive to build a culture of safety and care at and around our operations. We have developed the Emergency Response Centre at the Collector’s Office to augment the district administration’s efforts to respond to exigencies quickly and efficiently. We will continue to work closely with the district authorities and our communities to ensure holistic wellbeing of the local populace.”
Commending Vedanta Aluminium for supporting the District Administration in this endeavour and contributing towards keeping local people secure, Jharsuguda Collector Saroj Kumar Samal said, “The Emergency Response Centre will help in strengthening our efforts at creating safer communities and provide timely assistance to citizens. The Emergency Control Centre will act as a nodal centre during emergency situations by coordinating with key bodies like National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), Odisha Disaster Rapid Action Force (ODRAF), Odisha State Disaster Management Authority (OSDMA), etc.”
Deputy Director of Factories and Boilers Swaroop Jena said, “This emergency response centre will be effective in mitigating various emergencies through prompt and effective communication, which will go a long way in protecting human life and property at Jharsuguda district.”
Vedanta Aluminium is working diligently towards creating a safer workplace and community, incorporating industry best practices and digital solutions.
Some notable safety practices by the company are: Sankalp – a Safety Culture Transformation Programme, implemented by Vedanta Aluminium across all its operations, that is aimed at the prevention and control of fire-related incidents governed by regulatory and statutory compliance; Agnivahini – an all-women fire-fighting team at Jharsuguda, offering off-site emergency response support to the local administration and community during fires and extreme weather events; Lightning Detection System – an advanced, first-of-its-kind lightning detection & protection system in Katikela Ash Dyke which detects storm activity up to a distance of 40 kms and provides emergency alerts 3-5 minutes in advance; Mock Drills – Conducting regular safety interventions through emergency preparedness mock drills organized in collaboration with National Disaster Reduction Force (NDRF) and Odisha State Disaster Management Authority (OSDMA); and Awareness Sessions – Informative sessions in nearby colleges and anganwadis on how to prevent bush fires, handle LPG cylinders safely, effectively use fire extinguishers with live demonstrations and other related safety measures.
Vedanta Aluminium, a business of Vedanta Limited, is India’s largest producer of aluminium, manufacturing more than half of India’s aluminium i.e., 2.26 million tonnes in FY22. It is a leader in value-added aluminium products that find critical applications in core industries. Vedanta Aluminium ranks 4th in the Dow Jones Sustainability Index (DJSI) 2021 world rankings for aluminium industry, a reflection of its sustainable development practices. With its world-class aluminium smelters, alumina refinery and power plants in India, the company fulfils its mission of spurring emerging applications of aluminium as the ‘Metal of the Future’ for a greener tomorrow.
