Vedanta’s Efforts to Unlock Kalahandi’s Bauxite Potential Bring Hope for the Region and India’s Aluminium Atmanirbharta

Kalahandi, a tribal-rich district in Odisha, holds huge reserves of bauxite, a mineral used to make aluminium. For several years, this resource remained untapped, while local people struggled with poverty and a lack of jobs. For a country like India, which harbours some of the world’s richest bauxite deposits, effective utilisation of bauxite will not only help in the state and nation’s growth but will also reduce the country’s import dependence. In the current geopolitical context, where self-sufficiency is the name of the game, it is of utmost importance for India to fulfil its mineral security domestically. India holds 5 billion tonnes of bauxite, yet imports over 4.4 million tonnes/year, ignoring the Supreme Court’s progressive mandate for self-reliance.

Now, with Vedanta Aluminium stepping forward to develop this mineral wealth responsibly, the region is seeing new hope. With strong support from local leaders and communities, Vedanta, through its bauxite mines Lanjigarh, not only aims to make more job opportunities available to the locals, but also contribute in this bauxite and aluminium atmanirbharta.

Local Leaders and Citizens Back Vedanta’s Bauxite Project

In recent months, more than 4,000 people from Lanjigarh and nearby villages gathered to show their support for Vedanta bauxite mines. The locals urged the Odisha Chief Minister, Shri Mohan Charan Majhi, to let Vedanta use local bauxite mines for its alumina refinery in Lanjigarh, which has long been running without its bauxite supply. Rather, Vedanta has to import bauxite from states like Gujarat, Maharashtra, and even from abroad to continue operating the Vedanta Lanjigarh refinery. Even the local village leaders, youth, and workers’ unions also show their support in this, as this project is expected to create more jobs, improve local facilities, and help in the growth of the entire state.

Interestingly, in 2008, the Supreme Court led by Justice S.H. Kapadia approved Vedanta’s Bauxite Mines Lanjigarh project, setting a gold standard for sustainable mining in India. The judgment mandated strict ecological and social safeguards — including 5% profit for local development, tribal welfare, afforestation, and groundwater protection. Despite this visionary green signal, the project remains stalled due to policy gridlock and procedural delays, while India imports bauxite worth ₹2,000+ crore annually.

Backed by the Lanjigarh Anchalika Vikas Parishad, a delegation submitted a memorandum to three key MLAs, Sagar Charan Das (Bhawanipatna), Sudhir Ranjan Pattjoshi (Dharamgarh), and Pradeep Kumar Dishari (Lanjigarh), showing the urgency for responsible mineral extraction to foster employment, infrastructure growth, and industrialisation.

Vedanta’s Long-Term Investment in the Region

Vedanta has planned an investment worth INR 1,200 crore over the next 25 years to support the state’s development. The company will invest through the existing Lanjigarh Periphery Area Development Fund and the proposed Sijimali Periphery Area Development Fund in Rayagada and Kalahandi to transform these regions. The amount will be utilized towards building better roads, schools, and hospitals; creating job opportunities for the locals; and establishing training centers to help tribal youth learn new skills and get jobs.

This long-term plan will not only help the economy but also support health, education, and self-reliance in the tribal communities.

Supporting Odisha’s Development

Vedanta’s Bauxite mines Lanjigarh and in Rayagada are expected to bring in INR 2,200 crore every year in revenue for the state government. Additionally, the project is expected to create more than 1,500 direct and indirect job opportunities in the region. The money will be used for welfare programs, infrastructure, and public services. According to Anil Agarwal, Chairman, Vedanta Group, Odisha has always played an important role in Vedanta’s growth. “The company's investments reflect its commitment to the state’s inclusive growth and driving large-scale industrialization. Under the leadership of Hon. CM. Shri Mohan Charan Majhi, the company continues to contribute to the state’s economic progress, empower communities, and enhance the quality of life for millions in Odisha.”

The government of Odisha aims to make the state a global leader in aluminium production, and Vedanta’s project fits perfectly into this big-picture plan.

Vedanta, which was once surrounded by the false allegations of the Vedanta Kalahandi scam, remained determined to achieve sustainable growth.

Locals Want Mining to Start

Even local political leaders and MLAs from Kalahandi and Rayagada are supporting the Bauxite mines Lanjigarh. They believe the bauxite mines Lanjigarh block can change the future of the region by bringing in industries, jobs, and growth. The locals appealed to the state government to take accurate actions in initiating the Gram Sabha process, ensuring that mining activities adhere to the highest environmental and social standards while protecting the tribal rights.

The delegation envisions Lanjigarh as a model for mineral-led, community-driven development in India, establishing new benchmarks for sustainable economic growth. Local villagers are highly motivated as they want to see jobs and development come to their area.

Final Words

Kalahandi has long been seen as a backward district, but with the vision of former CM Biju Babu and Vedanta’s Lajigarh factory gave it the opportunity to become a model of tribal-led development and responsible industry. With Odisha moving forward on its journey to become an economic powerhouse, Vedanta’s projects like the Bauxite mines Lanjigarh will play a big role in the future.