HINDALCO, an aluminium factory located at Renukut owes its site basically to (2002)

Answer: (b) Abundant supply of power

Renukoot was chosen for cheap hydel power from the Rihand dam — aluminium smelting needs huge electricity.

The idea

Aluminium smelting separates metal from alumina by passing a large electric current through it. Electricity is therefore a major location factor for a smelter. Ore can be transported to a site with suitable power, so proximity to a bauxite deposit is not always the deciding factor.

Bauxite is refined into alumina → Alumina is transported to the smelter → Electrolysis uses a large electric current → Aluminium metal separates → Reliable power helps keep production running

Why the others are wrong

(a) Bauxite comes from elsewhere.

The trap

Aluminium follows power, not bauxite.

Elimination technique

Aluminium’s electricity-intensive smelting gives a direct reason for (b). The other factors can matter to industry in general, but they do not explain the specific Renukoot location as well.

Also know

Rihand is a tributary of the Son, which joins the Ganga; its reservoir is called Govind Ballabh Pant Sagar. Hirakud on the Mahanadi is another aluminium–hydropower association. Korba illustrates an aluminium centre associated with coal-based power rather than the same hydropower setting.