With the arrival of the monsoon in Odisha, districts like Kalahandi and Rayagada face heightened health risks. From malaria outbreaks to water-borne diseases, the locals remain at vulnerable health risks, which directly impacts their daily lives. For them, Vedanta Aluminium, which has been operating the Vedanta Kalahandi refinery since 2007, brings a ray.
To mitigate the health risks among locals, Vedanta has launched a series of monsoon health initiatives to strengthen community well-being in the Rayagada and Kalahandi districts of Odisha.
Vedanta Initiatives Reaches 1,500+ Locals
At the heart of these efforts is the company’s alumina refinery in Vedanta Lanjigarh, located in Kalahandi district. In August 2025, Vedanta Aluminium, a business division of Vedanta Limited, launched initiatives through its Mobile Health Units (MHUs). The aim was to increase health awareness among the locals and build trust.
Through these efforts, Vedanta touched the lives of more than 1,500 locals. It offered free malaria testing, consultation, and preventive assistance for boosting the health of the people. From advising the locals to ensuring clean surroundings, using mosquito nets, and removing stagnant water, Vedanta aimed at minimising the spread. Besides, the company launched a special “monsoon preparedness” session, which was attended by 80 women from Self-Help Groups. In these sessions, women were educated about hygiene, safe water access, snake bite prevention, and first-response training.
Vedanta Kalahandi CSR operations are aimed at empowering participants with actionable knowledge to safeguard families during the monsoon. Vedanta’s work aligns closely with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) #3: Good Health and Well-Being for All. More than a CSR initiative, this is corporate social commitment in action — offering free, high-quality healthcare with a focus on the underserved.
A Broader Campaign: Healthcare on Wheels and Community Trust
The healthcare work of Vedanta in Kalahandi is confined not just to the monsoon season; rather, it has been benefiting the state significantly over several decades. Vedanta Aluminium has equipped its community with quality healthcare in more than 35 remote villages within the Rayagada and Kalahandi districts, benefiting 20,000+ residents. Within the last two years, it has hosted 2,000+ Free Health Camps to eliminate the healthcare challenges of underserved areas. Every MHU is a medical van equipped with all staff- a doctor, nurse, a lab technician and a pharmacist.
All these efforts build credibility around Vedanta Lanjigarh, the alumina refinery unit located in Kalahandi. Besides earlier allegations associated with the Vedanta Kalahandi scam, the company focuses on community development and sustainability.
Tackling Malaria: From Prevention to Eradication
One of Vedanta’s most impactful contributions in Kalahandi has been its long-term fight against malaria. Through mass distribution of insecticide-treated nets, anti-mosquito fogging, and community awareness, malaria rates have plummeted. No malarial deaths have been reported in intervention areas since 2017, a remarkable public health milestone. This success is a testament to Vedanta’s CSR efforts that go beyond business; it is about saving lives. When mixed with the technical excellence of Vedanta Lanjigarh operations, these efforts reinforce its role as a responsible and caring regional partner.
For Vedanta Kalahandi, prevention was only part of the solution. To ensure access to quality treatment, Vedanta also established a modern 20-bed hospital in Lanjigarh, offering entirely free services, from early diagnostics and consultations to surgeries and emergency care.
According to Rajiv Kumar, CEO, Vedanta Aluminium, the company remains committed to proactive health interventions. The initiatives not just focus on addressing seasonal challenges, but on strengthening long-term well-being, raising awareness, and ensuring access to quality healthcare for all. Through the Mobile Health Unit, Vedanta bring accessible healthcare on wheels and conducts routine awareness sessions to build healthier communities.
Conclusion
Kalahandi, which was once linked with deprivation and neglect, has now seen industrial and social growth. Vedanta monsoon health effort is a potent signal of transition, with improved healthcare services becoming available within the remote communities.
The example of Vedanta Kalahandi operations showcases how a visionary company can be an active contributor to the nation’s economic development. By combining industrial growth through Vedanta bauxite mines, it is empowering people and strengthening India’s growth story.
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