The Business Bytes
THEBUSINESSBYTES BUREAU
JHARSUGUDA, MARCH 5, 2025
Vedanta Aluminium, India’s largest producer of aluminium, successfully conducted a large-scale offsite emergency preparedness mock drill at its Jharsuguda plant recently. The initiative, held in collaboration with key government and disaster response agencies, aimed to assess and strengthen safety measures concerning hazardous chemicals.
The exercise was part of a statewide safety initiative conducted simultaneously across 23 districts of Odisha, underscoring Vedanta’s commitment to industrial safety. Employees, security personnel, and local authorities actively participated in the drill, reinforcing a strong safety culture among industries in the region. Emergency response teams executed evacuation procedures, containment measures, and first-aid support to effectively mitigate the simulated hazard.
The drill simulated a hazardous chemical emergency, testing emergency response mechanisms, inter-agency coordination, and workforce preparedness. It was conducted in partnership with the district administration, Odisha State Disaster Management Authority (OSDMA), National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), fire services, and other emergency response teams. Mutual aid partners from various industries also took part, ensuring a well-coordinated and comprehensive approach to emergency management.
The event was graced by key government officials, including Sabyasachi Panda, Sub-Collector, Jharsuguda; Chandramani Swain, Additional District Magistrate, Jharsuguda; Susanta Mishra, District Project Officer, OSDMA; Archana Das, Assistant Director of Factories & Boilers, Jharsuguda Zone; Abhijeet Sahu, Inspector, NDRF, Odisha; Rajendra Saila, Inspector In-Charge, Badmal, Odisha; Anushka Ekka, Deputy Environment Scientist, Jharsuguda; and AK Topno, Assistant Fire Officer, Jharsuguda, along with senior management from Vedanta.
Emphasizing the company’s strong commitment to safety, Sunil Gupta, Chief Operating Officer, Vedanta Aluminium, said, “Safety is at the core of Vedanta’s operations, and initiatives like this mock drill strengthen our commitment to industrial safety and emergency preparedness. Through collaboration with local authorities and stakeholders, we ensure that our workforce and the surrounding communities are well-equipped to respond effectively to any unforeseen situations.”
Highlighting the importance of such exercises, Sabyasachi Panda, Sub-Collector, Jharsuguda, said, “Emergency preparedness is crucial for industrial hubs like Jharsuguda. This mock drill demonstrated excellent coordination between the industry, administration, NDRF, and emergency response teams, ensuring that we are ready to mitigate any potential hazards. Such proactive initiatives contribute to a safer environment for all.”
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Vedanta Jharsuguda remains steadfast in its commitment to industrial safety, environmental sustainability, and community well-being. The company regularly conducts awareness programs, training sessions, and emergency response initiatives to strengthen its industrial ecosystem.
Vedanta Aluminium, a business of Vedanta Limited, is India’s largest producer of aluminium, contributing over half of the country’s total output, with 2.37 million tonnes produced in FY24. A leader in value-added aluminium products, the company supports key industries and has been recognized globally for its sustainability efforts. Ranked 2nd in the S&P Global Corporate Sustainability Assessment 2024 for the aluminium sector, Vedanta Aluminium continues to drive innovation and sustainable development, positioning aluminium as the ‘Metal of the Future’ for a greener tomorrow.
