In a significant boost to rural healthcare in Odisha, Dr. Mukesh Mahaling, Minister of Health & Family Welfare, Government of Odisha, today inaugurated Vedanta Aluminium’s first-of-its-kind 24×7 Telemedicine Facility at Lanjigarh in Kalahandi district.
Launched in partnership with Tata 1mg, the initiative eliminates the need for long-distance travel by connecting patients in remote tribal and rural areas directly to nearly 30 specialist and super-specialist doctors through free audio and video consultations via the Tata 1mg App.
A dedicated Telemedicine Room has also been set up at Vedanta Lanjigarh Hospital to provide assisted consultations for those who need hands-on support. The facility is expected to directly benefit more than 70,000 people living across nearly 70 villages in Kalahandi and adjoining regions, as well as Vedanta employees, their families, and business partners.
Speaking at the virtual inauguration, Dr. Mukesh Mahaling praised the project: “Vedanta’s 24×7 telemedicine facility is a meaningful step towards improving healthcare access for communities in Kalahandi, especially in remote tribal and rural areas where timely medical consultation can make a significant difference. Vedanta’s broader work in healthcare, education, women empowerment and livelihoods reflects how responsible industry can support the state’s development priorities.”
Mr. Pranab Kumar Bhattacharyya, CEO, Vedanta Alumina Business, said: “Odisha remains central to Vedanta’s growth journey, and the well-being of local communities is at the heart of our work in the state. With the launch of this telemedicine service, we are enhancing last-mile access to quality healthcare for those who need it the most.”
The telemedicine launch is part of Vedanta’s wider community development drive in Odisha, which has already positively impacted over 10 lakh lives through an investment of more than ₹500 crore. Flagship programmes include Project Aarogya (preventive healthcare and medical outreach), Project Sakhi (women’s skill-building and entrepreneurship), Project Sangam (farmer livelihoods and climate-resilient agriculture), and education initiatives such as DAV Vedanta International School and Nand Ghars (modernised anganwadis offering early childhood care, nutrition, and women empowerment).
The Lanjigarh alumina refinery — India’s largest and among the world’s biggest outside China with a 50 lakh tonnes per annum capacity — continues to serve as an economic engine for the region. Vedanta has invested over ₹1 lakh crore in Odisha and supports more than 20,000 MSMEs and business partners, generating large-scale direct and indirect employment while driving inclusive growth in Kalahandi and Rayagada districts.
