India Approves Rs. 3,985 Crore Third Launch Pad at Sriharikota for Human Spaceflight Missions

Jan 16, 2025, 10:13 AM

The Indian Union Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has approved the establishment of a Third Launch Pad (TLP) at the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota, Andhra Pradesh, at a cost of Rs. 3,985 crore. The project, expected to be completed in four years, aims to enhance India's space infrastructure by supporting Next Generation Launch Vehicles (NGLVs), the Gaganyaan programme, and future human spaceflight missions. Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw described the initiative as an important milestone for the country, noting that the existing launch pads are fully utilised. The TLP will significantly boost India's capacity for higher launch frequencies and expand its ability to undertake advanced space missions.