Bhubaneswar, May 13, 2025: In a significant stride toward promoting green infrastructure and sustainable rural development, Vedanta Aluminium, India’s largest producer of aluminium, has successfully installed 321 solar-powered streetlights across the gram panchayats (GPs) of Jharpalam, Mundherkhet, Garanjore, Kuraloi, Banjari, Lakhanpur, and Belpahar, covering adjoining regions of Sundargarh and Jharsuguda districts in Odisha.
The initiative, undertaken as part of Vedanta Aluminium’s commitment to renewable energy and community welfare, aims to improve rural connectivity, ensure public safety, and strengthen the region’s overall infrastructure through the adoption of clean energy solutions.
Speaking about the initiative, Mr. Sunil Gupta, Chief Operating Officer (COO), Vedanta Aluminium, said, “We are deeply committed to sustainable development and inclusive growth in the regions where we operate. This intervention is part of Vedanta Aluminium’s broader sustainability mission to foster green infrastructure and improve the quality of life in its operational regions. The solar lighting project reflects our focus on meeting the needs of underserved communities through infrastructural support.”
He further added, “These solar streetlights are not only illuminating villages but also lighting the path to socio-economic progress. By improving mobility and ensuring safer movement at night, they empower local businesses, enable extended working hours, and enhance public safety for women, children, and elderly residents. This initiative is a small yet meaningful step toward building resilient, self-reliant communities that thrive sustainably.”
Appreciating Vedanta Aluminium’s proactive effort, Mr. Sanyasi Bag, Sarpanch, Mundherkhet GP, Hemgir Block (Sundargarh), said, “Vedanta’s initiative has not only brightened our villages but has also made life safer for each one of us. The new solar lights have made the evenings more secure for students, farmers, and daily commuters. We are grateful to Vedanta Aluminium for addressing our community’s needs and contributing to its long-term well-being.”
Notably, this green infrastructure project will benefit over 10,000 rural residents, while contributing to the reduction of approximately 22 tonnes of CO₂ emissions annually, thus reinforcing Vedanta Aluminium’s alignment with India’s renewable energy goals and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 7 – Affordable and Clean Energy.
The solar streetlights have been strategically installed across marketplaces, village entrances, bus stands, community centres, schools, and main roads. In addition to improving nighttime visibility and ensuring safety for pedestrians and commuters, the project is expected to foster economic activity in rural areas by facilitating extended market hours and smoother night-time logistics.
By leveraging renewable energy for community infrastructure, Vedanta Aluminium continues to reaffirm its role as a catalyst for sustainable rural transformation. Through similar initiatives in the fields of education, healthcare, livelihood development, and environmental conservation, the company remains steadfast in its mission to create “a brighter, greener, and more empowered Odisha.”
