Vedanta Aluminium Celebrates Kalahandi’s National Recognition Under Aspirational District Programme

Bhubaneswar,swa news : Vedanta Aluminium, India’s largest aluminium producer, celebrates Kalahandi’s exemplary performance under the Aspirational Districts Programme, a flagship initiative by NITI Aayog aimed at transforming underdeveloped districts across India. The company also congratulated the government representatives, district administration, and the people of Kalahandi district for their contribution towards this commendable achievement.

During a recent review meeting chaired by NITI Aayog’s Central Prabhari Officer, Ms. Anita Karn, at the Bhawanipatna District Collector’s office, Kalahandi was commended for achieving 100% success in five out of six key developmental indicators, including women and child health, nutrition, education, and agriculture. The district has been awarded a performance incentive of ₹9 crore, a testament to its meteoric growth in the past decade.

Once symbolic of deprivation, Kalahandi has rewritten its story, transforming from one of Odisha’s most underdeveloped districts into a thriving model of inclusive rural development. Notably, Vedanta has been closely working with government representatives and district administration to bring Kalahandi to the socio-economic mainstream. The district is also home to the company’s world-class alumina refinery, at Lanjigarh .

Launched in 2018, the Aspirational Districts Programme seeks to fast-track development in 112 of India’s most underdeveloped districts by encouraging convergence of schemes, collaboration among key stakeholders, and healthy competition through monthly rankings. It measures progress across 49 indicators under five core themes, including health, education, agriculture, skill development, and infrastructure.

Commenting on this landmark achievement, Rajiv Kumar, CEO, Vedanta Aluminium, said, “We are elated to celebrate this moment with the people of Kalahandi. This achievement reflects the power of collaboration between the government, communities, and responsible industry partners. Vedanta Aluminium is proud to be a partner in this transformation, and we remain committed to supporting the district’s progress for all future generations to come.”

As a longstanding development partner in Kalahandi, Vedanta Aluminiumcontinues to contribute meaningfully across core sectors aligned with the Aspirational Districts Programme goals.

• Health & Nutrition: To bolster community health and access, Vedanta’s mobile healthcare vans provide free medical services to remote areas, while the Vedanta Hospital in Lanjigarh serves over 60,000 people annually. The company also operates the Maa Santoshi Jan Kalyan hospital in the remote Bankakundru region, serving over 25,000 people annually.
• Education and Skilling: The DAV-Vedanta School, the first English medium school in Lanjigarh, serves 1,300 students, 87% of whom are from local communities, boosting literacy in Kalahandi. Additionally, Vedanta supports sports enthusiasts by offering training platforms, particularly for archers, and backing community tournaments in cricket, football, and volleyball.
• Livelihoods & Women Empowerment: The company operates more than 130 Nand Ghars, community hubs focused on women and child development. Under Project Sakhi, it supports over 4,900 women through skill development and microfinance programs aimed at fostering rural entrepreneurship through more than 471 self-help groups in Kalahandi. With Project Panchhi, the company is making significant efforts to empower girls socio-economically disadvantaged communities in Kalahandi through education and placement support.
• Agriculture & Sustainability: The Integrated Watershed Project and climate-smart farming practices in Lanjigarh have enhanced irrigation across 170+ acres, benefiting 2,000+ people; Vedanta has also partnered with NABARD to build 12 new farm ponds, boosting water security.

This recognition reaffirms Kalahandi’s transformation from a symbol of deprivation to a beacon of progress and dignity. Vedanta remains committed to working alongside government and community stakeholders to ensure long-term, inclusive growth in the region.