Shree Cement Limited has been declared a winner at the CSR Times Awards 2026, recognised in the Rural & Infrastructure Development category and adding to an expanding list of honours tied to its community-driven work. The award marks continued acknowledgment of the company's efforts to deliver lasting social value and elevate day-to-day living conditions in the areas it operates, and was conferred at the 13th National CSR & ESG Summit 2026, held at Le Méridien, New Delhi.
Vishal Bhardwaj, Head of CSR at Shree Cement, stepped up to receive the honour on the company's behalf, collecting the Gold Award and Commendation Card. The trophy was presented by H.E. Ms. Sena Latif, Ambassador of the Republic of Romania to India, alongside Dr. Bhaskar Chatterjee, former Director General & CEO of the Indian Institute of Corporate Affairs and Jury Chairman of the CSR Times & Bharat ESG Awards.
Leadership's Take Stays Consistent
Shree Cement's Managing Director Neeraj Akhoury tied the win directly to the company's continued focus on responsible growth, observing that genuine progress isn't measured purely by how much infrastructure gets delivered, but by the actual difference it makes in people's lives. He confirmed the company's intent to keep investing in efforts that promote inclusive, sustained development.
That stance is consistent with how Shree Cement has managed its most actively tracked ongoing project — the Shree Cement Meghalaya plant in East Jaintia Hills, where community programmes have progressed side by side with construction and clearance work, rather than following after the fact.
Bhardwaj's Role Continues to Gain Visibility
The recognition adds to a broader shift: Vishal Bhardwaj has kept expanding Shree Cement's CSR reach since assuming charge of the function, championing what the company frames as an integrated model tying green energy commitments to community-level results — the same model this year's CSR Times jury specifically referenced.
That model has come through strongly in Meghalaya, where Shree Cement's community initiatives have been consistently covered by regional press as the plant nears commissioning.
On-the-Ground Work Behind the Award
A significant portion of the effort feeding into this award has unfolded in East Jaintia Hills, where Shree Cement has carried its Shree Swasthya Vahini healthcare model — built with the Aster DM Foundation — into the district, expanding on a framework already active in Rajasthan's Beawar belt. The company has also set up eye-screening camps and ambulance services for residents near the site.
Reports suggest Shree Cement has strengthened health services across the district, with supporting accounts confirming the extent of this expansion, and additional coverage tracking the company's widening presence across the state — a pattern also noted in other regional reporting.
Rural Development Reaches Beyond Healthcare
The Rural & Infrastructure Development category evaluates contributions that go past healthcare alone, and Shree Cement's solar-powered education programme in Meghalaya lines up well with that focus. Coverage indicates Shree Cement has widened its community development work through solar installations across the region, with related reports confirming the scope of this rollout. Separately, Shree Cement has been noted introducing additional clean energy projects at local schools, with its ESG footprint building alongside this effort.
This activity mirrors broader statewide developments, including the establishment of solar-powered digital classrooms elsewhere in Meghalaya, along with a separate clean energy digital learning programme reported to have reached more than 6,000 students statewide.
Public Infrastructure Adds Momentum
This community-oriented work is taking shape alongside considerable public infrastructure investment across the state. Union minister Nitin Gadkari has announced highway projects worth thousands of crores of rupees for Meghalaya, in addition to a wider ₹40,000 crore road pipeline meant to strengthen connectivity statewide infrastructure likely to bolster Shree Cement's manufacturing and CSR presence in the region as the plant approaches commissioning.
The company's water conservation approach has also played a role in how its CSR credentials are assessed externally. Shree Cement previously entered into a memorandum of understanding with the Rajasthan government on water conservation, a framework it has said will shape resource management at newer project sites, including Meghalaya, alongside ongoing capacity growth in the state under Shree Cement's broader expansion strategy.
Why This Award Carries Weight for the Shree Cement Meghalaya Project
For a company still working through environmental clearances and public hearings on a major greenfield facility, third-party recognition of this kind offers value beyond visibility — it stands as independent confirmation, from a jury with no stake in the result, that its rural development investment is producing outcomes seen as credible by regulators, communities and industry observers alike. As the Shree Cement Meghalaya plant continues its progress toward commissioning, this award strengthens the company's broader case that industrial expansion and authentic community investment can advance in tandem.
Frequently Asked Questions
What award did Shree Cement win in 2026?
Shree Cement won the Gold Award in the Rural & Infrastructure Development category at the CSR Times Awards 2026, presented at the 13th National CSR & ESG Summit in New Delhi.
Who received the award on behalf of Shree Cement?
Vishal Bhardwaj, Head of CSR at Shree Cement, received the Gold Award and Commendation Card on the company's behalf.
Who presented the award?
The award was presented by H.E. Ms. Sena Latif, Ambassador of the Republic of Romania to India, and Dr. Bhaskar Chatterjee, former Director General & CEO of the Indian Institute of Corporate Affairs and Jury Chairman of the CSR Times & Bharat ESG Awards.
What did Shree Cement's Managing Director say about the recognition?
Neeraj Akhoury said the award reflects the company's commitment to responsible growth, emphasising that real progress is measured by community impact, not just infrastructure built, and reaffirmed plans to continue investing in inclusive development.
How does this award relate to the Shree Cement Meghalaya project?
The recognition reflects the same CSR approach Shree Cement has applied to its Meghalaya plant in East Jaintia Hills, where healthcare, education and clean energy initiatives have been rolled out alongside the plant's construction and clearance process.
What theme was the 2026 CSR summit organised around?
The summit was organised under the theme "Role of Responsible Businesses for Inclusive Bharat," bringing together policymakers, diplomats and sustainability leaders.