Vedanta Aluminium’s Project Nirmal Strengthens Rural WASH Infrastructure in Odisha
By Rupali Sarkar
Sundargarh (Odisha), Feb. 26: Vedanta Aluminium is expanding access to safe drinking water and sanitation in Sundargarh and Jharsuguda districts through its WASH-focused initiative, Project Nirmal.
Launched in April 2025, the project has installed 12 solar-powered borewells and 20 water purification systems across Jamkhani, Ghogharpalli, Kuraloi, Mundelkhet, Girisima, Bileimunda, Chhatabar, Garjanjore, Grindola, Piplimal and Belpahar, collectively supplying an estimated 2.46 lakh litres of safe drinking water daily to more than 23,000 residents. In addition, bio-toilets have been set up in 50 schools, improving sanitation and hygiene access for around 2,000 students.
Water scarcity remains a pressing concern in these regions, particularly during summer. Earlier, several villages depended on sources with turbidity levels ranging between 6 and 12 NTU. With borewell-linked purification systems now in place, turbidity levels are consistently maintained within permissible limits (≤1 NTU), significantly improving water quality and safety for household consumption.
Designed with sustainability at its core, Project Nirmal integrates clean energy with essential infrastructure. The solar-powered pumping systems are estimated to generate annual energy savings of 39,420 kWh, reducing dependence on conventional power and cutting approximately 33.5 tonnes of CO₂ emissions each year. The initiative aligns with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, particularly SDG 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation), SDG 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy), and SDG 13 (Climate Action).
Rajiv Kumar, CEO, Vedanta Aluminium, said access to safe water and sanitation is fundamental to community wellbeing and that the project reflects the company’s commitment to sustainable, community-centric development.
Local resident Manjulata Padhan of R&R Colony, Mendra, said the initiative has improved daily living conditions by ensuring dependable drinking water access and strengthening school sanitation facilities.
Vedanta Aluminium continues to advance social impact initiatives across Odisha, spanning education, healthcare, livelihoods, rural infrastructure and grassroots sports, in collaboration with local authorities and community stakeholders.
