Sambalpur: Vedanta Aluminium Limited, Jharsuguda, on Saturday dispatched its first production (metal) for sale in open market. Local MLA Kishore Mohanty ceremonially inaugurated the product launching of the 2.5-lakh-tonne capacity alumina project.

Mohanty said that while industries in Jharsuguda district were previously being closed one by one; the Naveen Patnaik Government with a commitment to establish new industrial projects in the district, has successfully fulfilled the dream, transforming the district into an industrially rich region. The Vedanta project holds the key to enrichment of Jharsuguda district as well as of the State, he said.

He observed that before starting production, Vedanta's contribution to development of the peripheral area has been remarkable. In the near future, Vedanta Aluminium has plans to establish a sports complex and start Apollo Hospital in the district, he said and appreciated Vedanta's endeavour of spending Rs 2.5 crore towards development of the District Headquarters Hospital.

Senior officer of Vedanta Aluminium, Pankaj Khanna, said the Vedanta project situated at Vurkamunda accomplished its goal of aluminium production one year before the targeted time, thus creating a record of fastest production in the aluminium sector.

Among others, senior officer of Vedanta, Abhijit Pati and former municipality chairman Tapas Roy Chowdhry attended the ceremony.