Press Releases

Vedanta Aluminium Deploys Vedanta Group’s First All-Women Locomotive Engine Team

• This pioneering initiative marks a major milestone in gender inclusivity, empowering women to lead critical operations in one of the world’s largest aluminium plants.

New Delhi, June 12, 2025: Vedanta Aluminium, India’s largest aluminium producer, has taken a pioneering step towards enhancing inclusion and gender diversity in the manufacturing and industrial sectors by announcing the deployment of Vedanta Group’s first all-women locomotive engine team at the company’s world-class aluminium smelter in Jharsuguda.

This landmark initiative places women professionals at the helm of one of the plant’s most critical logistical operations, i.e., the internal movement of raw materials through a dedicated locomotive engine and rake. The newly deployed team – comprising four loco drivers (working in shifts), one gatewoman, and two support staff – will be responsible for the efficient and safe operations and maintenance of this essential asset.

This deployment reinforces Vedanta Aluminium’s steadfast commitment to fostering a diverse, equitable, and inclusive workplace. It follows a series of industry-first initiatives at Jharsuguda, including the launch of ‘Shree Shakti’, through which 108 women have taken on key operational roles during night shifts, a first-of-its-kind initiative in Odisha’s industrial landscape. Additionally, Vedanta recently inaugurated the Indian aluminium industry’s first all-women managed potline here. A critical part of the aluminium production process, this potline will be operationalised in three phases, with more than 100 women employees selected through internal job postings and upskilled through specialised training programmes.

Commenting on this milestone, Rajiv Kumar, CEO, Vedanta Aluminium said, “At Vedanta Aluminium, we believe that true progress stems from equal opportunity where everyone has the chance to contribute, grow, and lead. Inclusivity is not just a core value for us, it is a catalyst for innovation, resilience, and operational excellence. The increasing participation of women in traditionally male-dominated roles is transforming the very fabric of Indian manufacturing. The deployment of our all-women locomotive team marks another milestone in our journey to break stereotypes and create meaningful pathways for women in industrial operations. From logistics and production to critical engineering functions, our women professionals are leading from the front and inspiring future generations to reimagine their role in shaping the nation’s industrial future.”

Adding his views, Sunil Gupta, COO, Vedanta Aluminium said “At Vedanta Aluminium, we have deliberately designed all our roles to be gender agnostic, opening up a world of opportunities for women keen to explore careers in core operations within the metals, mining and manufacturing industries. This initiative comes as the latest in our efforts to ensure that at Vedanta Aluminium, we prioritise determination, skill, and the will to succeed above all other factors when it comes to our hiring practices. We believe that through these efforts, not only do we build a more diverse industry, but also a more resilient nation.”

Currently, more than 1,200 women professionals contribute to Vedanta Aluminium’s success, excelling in roles ranging from technical operations to managerial leadership. This helps unlock the full potential of women employees by empowering them with the necessary professional skillsets, advanced training opportunities in industrial processes, and exposure to world-class technologies. This can further inspire more women to pursue rewarding and groundbreaking careers in the traditionally male-dominated mining, metals, and modern manufacturing industries.

Vedanta Aluminium has consistently earned the prestigious Great Place to Work® certification across all its plant locations, reaffirming its reputation as a top employer in India’s manufacturing sector. This recognition underscores the company’s strong focus on building a workplace defined by trust, unparalleled work culture, and inclusivity, where employees thrive in a culture that values integrity, transparency, and equal opportunity for all. Moreover, the company is aiming for 30% women workforce representation by FY2030. Additionally, to ensure gender-balanced recruitment, Vedanta Aluminium prioritizes 50% women hiring for fresher roles.

Vedanta Aluminium, a business of Vedanta Limited, is India’s largest producer of aluminium, manufacturing more than half of India’s aluminium i.e., 2.42 million tonnes in FY25. It is a leader in value-added aluminium products that find critical applications in core industries. Vedanta Aluminium ranks 2nd in the S&P Global Corporate Sustainability Assessment 2023 world rankings for the aluminium industry, a reflection of its leading sustainable development practices. With its world-class aluminium smelters, alumina refinery and power plants in India, the company fulfils its mission of spurring emerging applications of aluminium as the ‘Metal of the Future’ for a greener tomorrow.