If you take a drive through the center of our state, you will come across a place whose air carries the scent of moisture from rain and the heated metal. It is called Nalco Angul. Before you get to the factory’s large gates, you see the Ash Pond Lake, a vast and peaceful water body, which is on the very fringe of the industrial area. At first, it was constructed to serve the factory, but it has become a habitat for white cranes and wild ducks. Why this lake?
It is internally hypothesized that the water remains warm because of the deep energy from the earth nearby. Sunset on the lake in the evening paints the whole place as if it’s a silver glowing sheet. It’s a modest scene that conveys the message of how life always finds a way, even in the presence of the largest machines.
Entering Nalco nagar feels like walking into a different world. It is a town specifically made for the people who produce aluminum for the country. The Nalco Township Angul has a reputation as one of the cleanest and greenest places throughout all of Nalco Odisha. The roads are broad. The trees are old and dense. I recall a walk down the main road near the Ambedkar Stadium on a chilly February morning. The sound of a bicycle bell was the only thing that broke the silence. It is such a tranquil place that one’s heart understands that the people here are like a big family without them having to put up any signs. They are from all over India, working at Nalco Angul and thus, they have brought their different languages and foods to this little forest corner.
The area around Nalco nagar Angul is essentially a combination of red earth and industrial facilities. The Smelter plant is a very big and highly visible structure on the horizon, especially at night when it lights up. If you have not seen a factory of such a big scale before, it is a bit of a scary sight. The whole culture here is very orderly. The people are very punctual. They work and live in such a way that it is clear they have a kind of silent reverence for the fire and the metal that they use.
If you are searching for Nalco near me on the GPS while driving on the highway, the tall chimneys will be in your view from several miles away. The people of the area do not talk about their work. Instead, they invite you to see their gardens and schools with little smiles of pride. They acknowledge that if it weren’t for this town, the world would have significantly less of the silver metal it needs.
If you want to visit Nalco nagar, I would say the best time to do so is in winter. Summer is already very harsh in this part of Odisha and heat from the plant makes it even hotter. So dress lightly and do not forget to take water along with you. In order to go inside the high security areas of Nalco Angul, you need to have a gate pass which you can get only after an office visit in advance. What would be my advice? To spend an evening at the Nalco Club or just take a walk down the central market. You can buy some warm ‘vada’ and tea from the local vendors which are a real treat. Going there is like pressing a pause button and watching how a town can develop without becoming a soulless machine.
