A first-of-its-kind initiative in the industry, the campaign leveraged Virtual Reality and Artificial Intelligencebased systems to advance a Safety-firstcultureamong rail siding workers
Jharsuguda, Odisha, November 17, 2025:Vedanta Aluminum, India’s largest producer of Aluminum, reinforced its unwavering commitment to fostering a culture of safety and innovation throughSuraksha Sampark, a mass safety awareness initiative organizedat the Lakhanpur Railway Siding in collaboration with Mahanadi Coalfields Limited (MCL). This industry-first campaign marked a significant milestone by extending the scope of Vedanta’s safety interventions to the railway siding ecosystem, a critical component of logistics operations.
Expanding the scope ofthe company’s previous Suraksha Sarathiefforts which focused on extensive road safety awareness across Samleswari, Garjanbahal, and Lakhanpur mines, this special event focused on promoting safety-conscious practices and behavioral awareness among rail siding workersthrough cutting-edge technology, experiential learning, and human engagement.The training focused on workers in roles such as siding supervisor, payload operators, shift-in-charges of MCL and was designed to address high-risk areas identified during a detailed safety brainstorming session with MCL officials. This event was focused on work-at-height situations, blind spot awareness, vehicle and driving discipline, electrical safety, line of fire hazards, fire safety, emergency preparedness and fatigue management.
The campaign featured interactive demonstrations by industry experts and practical training sessions using Augmented Reality (AR), Virtual Reality (VR), and advanced simulators to create real-life safety experiences in a risk-free environment. Participants engaged in hands-on exercises such as reaction-time measurement, cognitive ability tests and decision-making simulations to understand how fatigue, distractions and stress influence their performance.
Speaking on the occasion, Mr. C Chandru, CEO, Vedanta Jharsuguda, said, “At Vedanta, safety is not just a matter of compliance, it is a mindset we nurture every single day. Efforts such as Suraksha Samparkrepresent our unwavering commitment to extend the circle of safety beyond our plant gates, reaching the loading point and mines level. Through technology-driven experiential learning, we are empowering every individual to make safety a personal responsibility”.
Participants and partners appreciated Vedanta Aluminium’s sustained efforts to promote workplace safety beyond its operational boundaries. Mr. Awadh Kishore Pandey, General Manager, Lakhanpur Area, MCL, said, “The Suraksha Sampark training reminded us today that safety must grow into our culture. When safety becomes a natural part of our mindset, we don’t need constant reminders, our actions will always reflect it. This joint effort between Vedanta and MCL is a strong beginning, and I hope to see even greater participation as we carry this culture forward.”
Examples of the technology demonstratedincludedthe Drunk Buster gogglestraining, which allowed participants to experience the disorientation caused by impaired driving in a controlled setting. In addition, a dedicated session on working at height provided live demonstrations of personal fall arrest systems and safety harnesses. Another highlight of the event was the Advanced Driver Assistance System (ADAS) for fatigue detection and VinCense, a wireless health monitoring system that tracks key biometric indicators such as heart rate, alertness, and stress levels in real time. The immersive VR experience enabled participants to simulate complex industrial scenarios such as driving on uneven terrains, handling heavy loads, and responding to fires, helping them internalize correct safety behaviour through practice rather than instruction.
The event concluded with a safety pledgeand the felicitation of ground staffand technical operators of MCL who hadparticipated in the event, demonstrating their support towards building a culture of safety. The collaborative effort between Vedanta Aluminium and MCL reflects a shared vision of building a safety-first culture across Jharsuguda’s industrial ecosystem. With Suraksha Sampark, Vedanta Aluminium continues to drive innovation and awareness in safety management, empowering its extended workforce through education, technology, and empathy
