Balconagar, 11th February 2025: Bharat Aluminium Company Limited (BALCO), India’s iconic aluminium producer and a unit of Vedanta Aluminium, observed the 36th National Road Safety Month through several innovative initiatives, including the launch of a new Virtual Reality (VR) training module that immersed over 150 employees in real-world traffic scenarios.The month-long campaign also featured activities such as carpooling, community rallies, and gamified learning sessions.
The new training module leveraged VR headsets that placed employees in a first-person driving experience, where they had to make real-time decisions in various scenarios like sudden braking, blind spots, and pedestrian crossings.
The technology allowed for immediate feedback, making learning more impactful by demonstrating the consequences of unsafe driving in a safe, controlled setting. The experience enabled users to navigate challenges in a risk-free environment, enhancing their awareness of road safety through virtual simulations. By bridging the gap between theory and practical application, the technology provided a hands-on learning, strengthening the safety-first culture within the organization towards creating a zero-harm environment.
Sharing his thoughts on the campaign, Mr. Rajesh Kumar, CEO & Director, BALCO said, “This month-long initiative was a call to action towards urging every individual to champion safer roads, whether within our plant premises or beyond. By integrating education, technology, and infrastructure enhancements, we are paving the way for a future where safety is second nature. Our mission of Zero Harm is not just an aspiration, it is a promise we work towards tirelessly.”
Sharing her excitement, Ms. Sonali Krishnamurti Ramteke, a BALCO employee said, “The VR headset provided me with an experience that was really intriguing. All simulations were challenging me in terms of providing several real world driving situations where one has to make split-second decisions. It was an eye-opening way to test our skills and the experience makes you more conscious when you drive.”
The month-long campaign was a movement that encouraged meaningful conversations and behavioral change. Through a blend of innovation, education, and infrastructure enhancement, these activities empowered employees and community members in the following ways –
- Raising Awareness through Placard Demonstrations: Set up at strategic locations within the plant, this initiative engaged over 5,000 employees through impactful placard demonstrations. Complementing this, a month-long campaign reinforced pedestrian safety, lane discipline, and mobile-free movement. Innovatively, ‘smile’ cards were used to recognize safe practices, while ‘cry’ cards flagged areas for improvement.
- Rallies with Purpose: Employees and business partners participated in Road Safety Rallies, championing the cause of responsible driving and pedestrian etiquette. These processions served as powerful visual reminders of the collective responsibility towards a safer workplace.
- Gamified Learning: An engaging twist to road safety education was adopted through interactive modules like ‘Road Rush,’ an interactive game that tested and reinforced road safety knowledge. Complementing this effort, on-the-spot quizzes challenged over 440 employees to think quickly and internalize key safety practices.
- Art as a Voice for Safety: A drawing and slogan writing competition added a creative edge as over 60 employees and business partners expressed their understanding of road safety through this competition.
- Community Outreach and Awareness: Recognizing that road safety extends beyond workplace boundaries, BALCO extended its initiatives to schools and the neighboring communities, sensitizing more than 60 students about safe traffic practices.
- Health Checkups and Blood Donation Drive: Nurturing the well-being of those behind the wheels, a dedicated health and eye check-up camp was set up, benefiting over 300 drivers and operators. Additionally, 170+ employees and business partners also participated actively in a blood donation camp. Promoting a holistic approach to safety, BALCO also incorporated elements of social responsibility and sustainability. In addition to the blood donation camp that was organized, a dedicated carpooling drive helped reduce road congestion and promote environmental conservation – seamlessly merging road safety with sustainable living.
