JHARSUGUDA (ODISHA), MARCH 18, 2024
Vedanta Aluminium, India’s largest producer of aluminium, conducted a mega road safety awareness initiative called ‘Suraksha Sarathi’ at Lakhanpur Mines in Jharsuguda, in partnership with Mahanadi Coalfields Limited (MCL) and major transporters’ unions, including Maa Samleswari Truck Owner Association (MSTOA) and Ayush Road Lines. The event saw participation from more than 1500 drivers, recognizing them as ‘Sarathis’ (Charioteers) to highlight the indispensable role they play in road safety.
As part of the awareness drive, Vedanta Aluminium orchestrated several initiatives aimed at underscoring the paramount importance of road safety. These initiatives included a compelling ‘Nukkad Natak’ (street play) performance featuring actors portraying the mythical characters Yamraj and Chitragupta, complimentary health check-ups, a road safety quiz, and the distribution of road safety kits, all of which drew appreciation from the drivers. Through these initiatives, the company emphasized the importance of adhering to traffic regulations and safety standards.
Esteemed officials who graced the occasion and actively participated in the initiatives included Mr. Dinabandhu Sundhi, Road Transport Officer, Jharsuguda; Mr. Loknath Meher, Motor Vehicle Inspector, Jharsuguda; Mr. Sanjay Jha, General Manager, MCL, Lakhanpur; Mr. Akhil Swain, President, MSTOA; Mr. Santosh Mohanty, General Secretary, MSTOA; and Mr. Chandan Agrawal from Ayush Road Lines.
Reiterating Vedanta’s safety-first culture, Mr. Sunil Gupta, COO, Vedanta Aluminium, said, “At Vedanta Aluminium, the safety of our people and partners is our foremost priority, and we believe in extending our culture of care beyond our operations. It gives us immense pride to pioneer initiatives like ‘Suraksha Sarathi’, leading to more safeguards for our communities. The safety of our partners is of utmost importance to us, and we plan to conduct similar initiatives to bolster the safety quotient at our operations as well as beyond.”
Acknowledging the company’s efforts, Mr. Dinabandhu Sundhi, Regional Transport Officer, Jharsuguda, said, “I strongly believe that through the shared efforts of the district administration and Vedanta Aluminium, we can achieve our goal of making Jharsuguda a district free from road accidents. I extend my heartfelt gratitude to Vedanta for this initiative.”
Vedanta Aluminium has undertaken several initiatives to strengthen its safety-centric culture.
Sankalp, a Safety Culture Transformation Programme implemented by Vedanta Aluminium across all its operations, aims to enhance safety standards and practices. The program includes initiatives such as an Augmented and Virtual Reality Training Centre, providing immersive safety training experiences. Additionally, extensive digitalization of operations and processes minimizes human interaction with machines, supported by a Manufacturing Execution System ensuring 360-degree visibility of critical plant operations. Video analytics are employed for immediate detection of fire events and monitoring employee adherence to safety standards. Notably, an all-women fire-fighting team named ‘Agnivahini’ at Jharsuguda has been meticulously trained to respond efficiently in emergencies, offering off-site support to local authorities and communities. The Safety Stand Down program engages leadership teams with employees and business partners to foster a holistic safety-first culture. Regular Mock Drills & Safety Awareness Sessions, conducted in collaboration with National Disaster Reduction Force (NDRF) and Odisha State Disaster Management Authority (OSDMA), further reinforce safety protocols. Moreover, the company’s commitment extends to conducting fire, electrical & household safety training sessions for school students and community members, facilitated by dedicated employee volunteers.
