• Cabinet
Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) to enable 100% rail-based coal evacuation
from Odisha mines, complementing Vedanta Aluminium’s Net Zero Carbon ambitions
• This
shift will help in eliminating road transport inefficiencies
Vedanta Aluminium, India’s
largest aluminium producer, has welcomed
the Government of India’s decision to facilitate the Sardega-Bhalumuda rail
line connectivity project between Odisha and Chhattisgarh, an initiative aimed
at streamlining coal transportation sustainably and efficiently. The project is
sanctioned by the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA). By replacing
road transport with 100% rail-based coal evacuation from Vedanta's Jamkhani and
Ghogharpalli captive mines in Odisha, the project will significantly reduce the
carbon footprint and expenditure associated with coal logistics. The 37 km rail
line will streamline coal transport from the company’s coal mines, ensuring consistent
coal quality and seamless logistics through rapid loading systems.
This development marks an
important step in the company’s broader strategy towards achieving its Net Zero
carbon emissions goal by 2050. This rail-based approach is a key driver in advancing
the company’s broader Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) strategy,
focused on decarbonizing operations and enhancing supply chain efficiency, as
the company works towards a greener, more resource-efficient future. This
development will help reduce road congestion, emissions, and fuel consumption.
About the development, John Slaven, CEO, Vedanta Aluminium,
said, “We sincerely thank the Government of India for driving this landmark
infrastructure project, which will greatly enhance the efficiency of our supply
chain. This project marks a significant milestone in our ongoing efforts toward
Net Zero by 2050. More importantly, this infrastructure will support regional
industrial growth, benefiting local industries and creating meaningful economic
opportunities for nearby communities.”
The rail line project is
poised to generate new employment opportunities for local communities,
particularly during its construction and operational phases. This
infrastructure development is poised to boost regional industries by enhancing
transport efficiency and attracting further investment. Beyond Vedanta
Aluminium, the project will create positive ripple effects throughout the
region, supporting industrial growth and contributing to the broader economic
development of the area by streamlining logistics and reducing transportation
inefficiencies.
Vedanta Aluminium, a
business of Vedanta Limited, is India's largest producer of aluminium,
manufacturing more than half of India's aluminium i.e., 2.37 million tonnes in
FY24. It is a leader in value-added aluminium products that find critical
applications in core industries. Vedanta Aluminium ranks 1st 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.
