Press Releases

30th November 2024

BALCO’s Religious Landmarks Rooted in Decades of Celebration

Balconagar, 30^th November 2024 – In its continued journey of celebrating diversity, unity, and tradition, Bharat Aluminium Company Limited (BALCO) proudly preserves its rich heritage of religious landmarks, which have been an integral part of the township for decades. From the Ram Mandir to St. Vincent Palloti Church, BALCO Gosia Masjid, and the Gurudwara, these places of worship, standing as symbols of faith, community, and togetherness, represent BALCO’s longstanding commitment to honouring all cultures and religions.

Each of BALCO’s places of worship stands as a testament to the company’s commitment to community and inclusivity. The Ram Mandir, established in 1975, is one of the religious landmarks in the township, evolving over time into a vibrant hub for festivals and daily prayers. The St. Vincent Palloti Church, founded in 1976, grew from a modest structure to a well-established sanctuary for the Christian community, where families gather weekly for worship and fellowship. Similarly, the BALCO Gosia Masjid, founded in 1973, has long been a centre for the township’s Muslim residents, bringing people together for prayer meets and community events. The Gurudwara, developed in 1975, remains a pillar for the Sikh community, where families gather in large numbers, particularly during langar and major festivals. Today, these sacred spaces are woven into the fabric of BALCO’s community, where each holds a special place in the hearts of its people.

Sudhir Sharma, a retired BALCO employee and, now the Head of the Ram Mandir Committee, shares, “Ram Mandir has been the heart of BALCO’s spiritual community for nearly five decades. Our celebrations, from Ram Navami to Bhagwat events, bring people together, with over 30,000 gathering for occasions like the Ram Ayodhya Puja.”

Wilson Minz, a retired BALCO employee and a church elder, recalls, “I joined BALCO in 1980, working in the Foundry, and have seen the church’s journey from a humble sheet structure to a place of faith and unity, growing with the support of BALCO and the community. St. Vincent Palloti Church today stands as a beacon of fellowship for us all.”

Naushad Ali, a BALCO employee from the SRS department, representing the BALCO Gosia Masjid, remarks, “The masjid has grown into a cornerstone for our community. We gather here to celebrate all festivals, and it truly embodies our spirit of togetherness.”

Tajindar Singh Toor, part of the Gurudwara community and a BALCO employee, reflects, “The Gurudwara has been a place of peace and connection since the 1970s, made possible by BALCO’s continued support. During major festivals and langar, it’s inspiring to see hundreds come together in unity and shared purpose.”

These places of worship are far more than landmarks, they are living symbols of BALCO’s deep-rooted commitment to unity in diversity. By nurturing an environment where employees, residents, and their families from various faiths come together, BALCO has fostered a sense of belonging, weaving a closed knit community where all traditions are celebrated.

Bharat Aluminium Company Limited (BALCO), established on November 27, 1965, was the first public sector company in India to produce aluminium. The company’s Korba site office was set up in 1966, and civil work commenced rapidly in 1969. BALCO began operations with alumina production in 1973. The company achieved a notable milestone in 1974 by exporting 8,000 tons of alumina to the Soviet Union (now Russia). Metal production at BALCO commenced in 1975, and the company expanded its annual metal production capacity in four phases, each adding 25,000 tons and reaching a total of 100,000 tons. The first and second phases were commissioned for production in 1975 and 1977, respectively, with the third and fourth phases completed by 1977 and 1978.

BALCO also expanded its overseas operations with its first export of ingots (BharatAL) to Japan in 1976. It established a Properzi rod production unit in 1976, a billet facility in 1978, and a slab rolling facility in 1980. Additionally, commercial production of alloy pigs and billets began in 1978, followed by extrusion products in 1979. The company offered alumina, molten aluminium, ingots, alloys, billets, slabs, Properzi rods, extruded products, and rolled products under its product offerings.

BALCO also developed a residential township, with housing and community facilities that began in 1970. The township grew into a flourishing community by 1980, that included schools, markets, and a 30-bed hospital built in 1975. Additionally, BALCO built worship sites for all communities, including temples, mosques, gurudwaras, and churches.

In 2001, the Government of India disinvested 51% of the shares of Bharat Aluminium Company Limited (BALCO) to Sterlite Industries (India) Limited (now known as Vedanta Limited). Today, as BALCO approaches a capacity of 1 million tonnes per annum (MTPA), the company will position itself among the world’s foremost aluminium producers, becoming the 6th largest single-location smelter globally. The company celebrates six glorious decades of leadership and innovation, contributing to the country’s self-reliance in the aluminium industry.

Bhrat Aluminium Company Limited (BALCO) is India’s iconic aluminium producer. It is owned 51% by Vedanta Limited and 49% by the Government of India. BALCO is part of Vedanta’s Aluminium Business, a division of Vedanta Limited, which is India’s largest producer of aluminium, manufacturing more than half of India’s aluminium i.e., 2.37 million tonnes in FY24. It is a leader in value-added aluminium products that find critical applications in core industries. Vedanta Aluminium ranks 1st in the S&P Global Corporate Sustainability Assessment 2023 world rankings for the aluminium industry, a reflection of its leading sustainable development practices. With its world-class aluminium smelters, alumina refinery and power plants in India, the company fulfils its mission of spurring emerging applications of aluminium as the ‘Metal of the Future’ for a greener tomorrow.