Vedanta’s Rs 40,991 Crore Aluminium Plant in Odisha to Create 7,200 Jobs
Vedanta is set to establish a major aluminium smelter in Rayagada, Odisha, representing a significant advancement in India’s aluminium sector. The project, which has received approval from Odisha’s High-Level Clearance Authority (HLCA), comes with an investment of Rs 40,991 crore and is expected to generate approximately 7,200 jobs upon completion.
The aluminium smelter forms part of a larger Rs 91,528 crore investment in Rayagada. Alongside this facility, Vedanta plans to develop a 6 million tonnes per annum (MTPA) alumina refinery in the same region, further strengthening its manufacturing capabilities.
The state-of-the-art smelter will have a production capacity of 1.2 MTPA of aluminium, catering to diverse industries including automotive, aerospace, construction, packaging, and electronics. Through this initiative, Vedanta aims to bolster India’s position as a global aluminium manufacturing hub.
The production process will utilize the Hall-Héroult method, wherein alumina from Vedanta’s nearby refinery will be dissolved in cryolite and subjected to electrolysis to extract pure aluminium. The facility will produce various aluminium forms including ingots, billets, and sheets tailored for different industrial applications. The plant design incorporates energy-efficient technologies, renewable energy sources, and systems for carbon capture and waste recycling, emphasizing environmental sustainability.
Employment opportunities at the plant will span both technical and non-technical domains. Technical positions will include roles for mechanical, electrical, and metallurgical engineers, along with technicians and quality control personnel. Environmental engineers will manage the plant’s sustainability initiatives. The non-technical workforce will comprise professionals in administration, IT, finance, logistics, safety, and supply chain management, supplemented by skilled labor and support staff.
Vedanta’s existing Project Utthan initiative, which focuses on local recruitment and training, has already employed over 270 young graduates from Kalahandi and Rayagada at their Lanjigarh refinery. A similar approach is anticipated for staffing the new Rayagada facility.
Rayagada was strategically selected for its proximity to the Sijimali bauxite mines being developed by Vedanta, ensuring efficient and cost-effective access to raw materials. The region’s well-established transportation infrastructure further enhances operational economics.
The Vedanta Group, under Chairman Anil Agarwal’s leadership, currently operates a 3.5 MTPA alumina refinery in Lanjigarh and a 1.8 MTPA aluminium smelter in Jharsuguda. With this new venture, Vedanta’s cumulative investment in Odisha will exceed Rs 1 trillion.
This development aligns with Odisha’s broader industrial expansion strategy. The HLCA, chaired by Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi, recently sanctioned ten major projects valued at Rs 1.65 lakh crore, encompassing green hydrogen, rare earth minerals, and engineering goods, in addition to Vedanta’s aluminium initiatives. Collectively, these ventures could create more than 51,000 jobs throughout the state.
At a recent summit in New Delhi, Odisha secured agreements worth Rs 98,880 crore with major corporations including IOCL and Petronet LNG, highlighting the state’s growing appeal as an investment destination.
