Pi-Awards marks a decade of fostering creativity across L&T
Innovation has always been at the heart of L&T’s journey of growth, transformation and excellence. The Pi-Awards, L&T’s pan-organization innovation competition, was instituted to recognise and celebrate the efforts of L&T-ites who challenge the conventional, solve business problems creatively and create meaningful value through innovative products, projects, services and practices. Over the years, Pi-Awards has evolved into a powerful platform for showcasing innovation, enabling knowledge sharing and enhancing the visibility and impact of innovative practices across the organisation.
The awards are named after the infinite π, and are announced every year on International Pi Day, celebrated on 14 March (3.14) and it culminates on 22/7, both dates representing π.
The Awards attracted a record 1,470 teams, comprising more than 7,900 L&T-ites, from 22 businesses and over 300 locations across L&T.
Adding another dimension to the innovation journey, the Voice of πoneers series was launched to feature inspiring stories and experiences of previous Pi-Awards winners.
The finalists competed across four categories: Product, Project, Service and ESG. Their innovations demonstrated the ingenuity of their solutions as well as their tangible impact on business performance.
The Grand Finale, on 22 July at Chennai, was graced by S V Desai (Whole-time Director & Sr EVP & Head – Infrastructure Division) as Chief Guest, and Dr C Jayakumar (EVP & Head – Corporate HR). The jury comprised Dr Ashwin Mahalingam (Professor, IIT Madras), Lakshmikantha KC (VP – Bengaluru & Chennai Operations, Motherson SWIL) and Shiva Subramaniam (Co-founder & Director – Innovation, Biomimicry Compass).
Addressing the gathering, Dr Jayakumar highlighted Pi-Awards as a strategically important initiative that drives innovation, creativity, continuous improvement and fosters a strong culture of innovation and knowledge sharing across L&T. He emphasised that in a rapidly changing business environment, innovation is essential to improve quality, safety, productivity and profitability, as well as ensure long-term organisational relevance and competitiveness.
Mr Desai underscored the role of innovation as a key driver of organisational growth, competitiveness and future readiness. Stating that innovation can originate from any level of the organisation, he emphasised that it must be supported by a strong desire to solve problems, improve productivity and create greater value. He averred that organisations that learn, adapt and innovate faster will be better positioned to achieve ambitious growth aspirations and capitalise on emerging opportunities.
A highlight of the programme was a masterclass on Biomimicry Innovation by Shiva Subramaniam, who introduced participants to the idea of looking at nature as a 3.8-billion-year-old mentor and drawing inspiration from the solutions that nature has evolved. The session explored concepts such as biophilia, bioutilisation and biomorphism, demonstrating how nature can inspire innovative approaches to solving contemporary challenges.
Winners
Product Category:
PRECIZE 4.0 (Predictive Regression Engine for Coating Intelligence & Zinc Excellence) - Powered by SUMEDHA - Transforming Hot-Dip Galvanizing from an Art to a Science
– Sumanta Gayen & Team (Power Transmission & Distribution)
Project Category
Integrated Soffit Liner Modular Technique for 50 m Dia. Outer Containment Dome KKNPP 3&4 Project
– K Suresh & Team (Heavy Civil Infrastructure).
Service Category
IoT-Enabled Servitization of Asset Management through Digital Field Force and Centralized application –
Thiruvasagam & Team (Divisional Corporate).
ESG Category
Sustainable and Environmentally Responsible Riverbank Stabilization Using Low-Carbon and Nature-Based Strategies
– Sudesna Biswas & Team (Transportation Infrastructure).
Sustained Engagement in Pi Awards
Transportation Infrastructure. S Ramkumar (EVP & Head), S D Patil – (VP & Head, Roads, Bridges & Formations SBG) and Amber Nanavaty (HR Head) received the award on behalf of the business.
A Pi-Awards 2026 Compendium featuring the top 12 innovations was also released in the presence of the dignitaries.
The organising team comprised Corporate HR’s Taresh Varshney and Chirag Desai as well as stakeholders across L&T.
The event demonstrated L&T’s culture of innovation which motivates its people to come up with the exceptional, impactful ideas.
