Bhubaneswar: Vedanta Aluminium, India’s foremost producer of aluminium, is spearheading a significant rural infrastructure initiative in the Kalahandi and Rayagada districts of Odisha by installing solar-powered streetlights. To date, 96 streetlights have been commissioned across 21 villages, providing essential illumination to areas previously unlit and directly benefiting over 5,000 residents with reliable, energy-efficient lighting.
This “green initiative” represents a crucial step in a broader project to install a total of 150 solar-powered streetlights in key community locations, including marketplaces, village entrances, bus stands, community centres, schools, and main roads. The intervention aims to substantially enhance overall quality of life by improving nighttime visibility, fostering safer public spaces, and boosting accessibility after dark. Furthermore, this environmentally conscious effort is projected to contribute to the reduction of approximately 22 tonnes of CO₂ equivalent emissions annually.
The project profoundly aligns with Vedanta Aluminium’s overarching mission to augment rural infrastructure and uplift communities within its operational areas. It also underscores the company’s unwavering commitment to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, specifically SDG 7 (Affordable & Clean Energy), SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities & Communities), and SDG 13 (Climate Action).
Rajiv Kumar, CEO, Vedanta Aluminium, commented, “At Vedanta Aluminium, our community development programs are tailored to the specific needs of the regions we serve. The solar lighting project in Kalahandi and Rayagada is a testament to our commitment to sustainability and inclusive growth. It is heartening to witness the positive impact these installations are already making in enhancing safety, improving mobility and strengthening community wellbeing. By integrating green infrastructure into rural areas, we strive to build a brighter, safer, and more sustainable future.”
Jagannath Naik Nayab, Sarpanch, Sunger Gram Panchayat – Kashipur Block, said, “Vedanta’s solar-lighting initiative has not only brightened our villages but also made them safer for everyone. We now have access to a reliable source of power supply. Everyone in the village truly appreciates the company’s efforts in addressing the needs of our community.”
This initiative is part of Vedanta Aluminium’s comprehensive strategy to drive transformative socio-economic progress in Odisha through strategic interventions across various sectors, implemented in close collaboration with local authorities and community stakeholders.