Korba, 20 March 2026 : Vedanta Aluminium has deployed its first cohort of women crane pilots at its BALCO unit in Korba, Chhattisgarh, marking a significant milestone in advancing women-led operations in core manufacturing. A total of 30 women have been inducted, including 20 Pot Tending Machine (PTM) pilots and 10 beam-raising operators, who are now handling critical potroom operations such as anode changing, covering, tapping molten aluminium, and ensuring stable production processes.
These professionals underwent rigorous training involving classroom learning, simulator sessions, and hands-on experience, enabling them to manage highly technical and safety-critical roles. Notably, beam-raising operations across all potlines are now fully managed by women, reflecting a shift toward a gender-inclusive operating model.
According to CEO Rajiv Kumar, the integration of automation and digital technologies is opening new avenues for skilled professionals, especially women, in manufacturing. This initiative builds on Vedanta’s broader diversity efforts, including all-women potlines, locomotive crews, and emergency response teams. Currently, women make up 21% of the workforce, with a target to increase this to 35%, reinforcing the company’s vision of an inclusive, future-ready industrial ecosystem.
