Women are playing an increasingly important role in shaping the future of manufacturing, taking on responsibilities at the heart of industrial operations.
At Vedanta Aluminium, India’s largest producer of aluminium, this shift is evident at its Lanjigarh refinery, where women today make up 100% of the Control Room Operator (CRO) workforce, contributing to the efficient operation of one of the world’s largest alumina refineries. They are supported by a diverse operations team comprising 4 Duty Officers (DO) and 16 Control Room Engineers (CRE), including 9 women and 7 men, fostering a collaborative workplace culture. Their growing presence reflects a powerful shift in manufacturing, where competence, technical excellence and determination are shaping the future of industrial operations.
The Distributed Control System (DCS) lies at the heart of the refinery, integrating hundreds of data streams and enabling seamless control of production processes. As Control Room Operators, these women monitor process parameters, analyse operational trends, assess safety alarms and make swift decisions to maintain stable and efficient operations. Operating from the refinery’s command hub, where every second counts and every decision carries impact, these women play a vital role in ensuring safe, stable, and efficient operations at one of the world’s largest alumina refineries. Their expertise, precision, and ability to manage complex processes underscore the changing face of industrial workplaces, where talent and performance are driving operational excellence.
Commenting on this, Pranab Kumar Bhattacharyya, CEO, Alumina Business, Vedanta Aluminium, Lanjigarh, said: “The women leading our Control Rooms exemplify the technical excellence, commitment, and leadership that strengthen our operations every day. Their achievements reflect our belief in fostering an inclusive workplace where every individual has the opportunity to excel and contribute meaningfully to our growth.”
For Ankita Rath, the Control Room is not just a workplace. It is a space where she has grown, evolved and discovered her own strengths. Since joining Vedanta Aluminium in 2017, she has worked across Laboratory and Production DCS functions, steadily building her expertise and taking on new challenges. Alongside a fulfilling career, she has also embraced the journey of motherhood, reflecting the many dimensions of her growth over the years. One of her proudest memories remains being part of the team that helped Vedanta Aluminium Lanjigarh achieve its highest-ever alumina production in 2025. She adds, “Being part of a team that achieved such a milestone is deeply fulfilling. It shows that every contribution counts when we work together,”
A similar journey of growth has shaped Nisika Das, a Control Room Engineer in the Production DCS team. When she joined Vedanta Aluminium in 2023 as a fresher, it was her first experience of living and working away from home. As she settled into the role, she found opportunities to learn, build her expertise and contribute to one of the refinery’s most critical functions.
A defining moment came when she was involved in the commissioning of the refinery’s 3 MTPA expansion project and witnessed the first alumina output from the new facility. “That milestone gave me immense confidence. It shaped my resilience and helped me grow both professionally and personally,” she recalls.
Stories like those of Ankita, Nisika, and others reflect a larger transformation taking place across Vedanta Aluminium Lanjigarh. Women are not only participating in core manufacturing operations but are increasingly taking ownership of roles that demand technical expertise, quick decision-making and operational excellence.
Appreciating their dedication and hard work, Jitendra Kumar Saini, Manager- DCS Production, VAML, added, “The Central Control Room is the nerve centre of the refinery. Our operators are the eyes and ears of the plant, making real-time decisions with precision and composure. They are vital to operational excellence.”
At Vedanta Aluminium Lanjigarh, the growing presence of women in Control Room operations reflects more than a changing workforce. It represents the emergence of a new generation of manufacturing professionals who are helping shape the future of industrial operations through their skill, commitment and continuous learning.
