Bhubaneswar, 11.02.2026: National Aluminium Company Limited (NALCO) has come across certain misleading and unverified videos circulating on social media platforms alleging that villagers of Dengajaniguda village, in Koraput district, Odisha, are facing health issues due to red mud pond of NALCO’s Alumina Refinery.

These allegations are factually incorrect, uncorroborated, and clearly made without any verification of facts. In this regard, NALCO would like to place the following facts on record:

• As a responsible Central Public Sector Enterprise, headquartered in Odisha, NALCO remains fully committed to environmental protection, statutory compliance, and the welfare of communities residing around all its operational units. The Red Mud Pond, operational since 1987, is scientifically engineered, fully bounded and continuously monitored in compliance with all regulatory norms.
• In the Red Mud Pond there is no overflow, seepage, or discharge, as NALCO strictly follows a zero-discharge policy. Consequently, there is no possibility of contamination of any natural streams, rivers, or surrounding water bodies.
• NALCO conducts regular testing and analysis of groundwater and surface water in and around the red mud pond area. The results are shared with statutory authorities. The primary indicator of contamination is the pH level of water and it has been found within the prescribed limits for drinking water and groundwater standards, including water from village tube well and nearby stream. Regular water testing and monitoring are also
  undertaken by the statutory authorities, with no adverse remarks reported so far.
• Based on continuous monitoring and scientific analysis, it is categorically stated that there is no contamination of surface or groundwater in Dengajaniguda village attributable to red mud storage. Since the water sources used by the villagers conform to the prescribed water quality norms, the health issues claimed in certain social media content cannot be attributed to red mud pond.
• Ongoing CSR, Development Work & Health Initiatives in Dengajaniguda: NALCO remains committed to inclusive development through need-based and empathetic CSR initiatives and has undertaken several initiatives in Dengajaniguda village under its CSR and peripheral development programs. These include improvements in basic infrastructure, healthcare access, education, and overall quality of life, carried out in coordination with the district administration and as per approved development plans.
• Focused Healthcare Outreach under CSR Initiatives: NALCO has consistently prioritised healthcare in its peripheral villages under its CSR initiatives. Through the NALCO Foundation, six Mobile Health Units provide doorstep medical consultation, free medicines and health awareness services across 220 villages, including Dengajaniguda, which is covered once every fortnight. Collectively, these units serve over 70,000 patients annually, strengthening access to primary healthcare in the region.
• Employment Support to Substantially Affected Persons (SAPs): Further, in Dengajaniguda village, a total of nine Substantially Affected Persons (SAPs) were identified. Of these, nominees of three SAPs have been provided employment by NALCO. In the remaining cases, nominations were not received due to differences among family members of the SAPs, which has constrained NALCO from pursuing employment further in those cases, despite its continued willingness to extend support as per policy provisions.

NALCO reiterates its unwavering commitment to transparent operations, environmental stewardship and community-centric development. The Company continues to work closely with local communities and authorities to address concerns in a constructive and responsible manner.

It is also pertinent to highlight that the allegations in the social media video have not been verified by qualified medical professionals, the State Pollution Control Board, the district administration, or by NALCO authorities prior to publication. The content is clearly based on incomplete, misleading and unverified information which does not align with verified data and statutory records.