Cabinet Greenlights ₹3,985 Crore for Third Space Launch Pad at Sriharikota

Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw has announced the approval of a Rs 3,985 crore project to build a third launch pad at the Satish Dhawan Space Centre (SDSC) in Sriharikota, marking a significant step in strengthening India’s space exploration infrastructure. The announcement was made during a cabinet briefing on Thursday, underscoring the government’s commitment to advancing the country’s space capabilities.

The new Third Launch Pad (TLP) will be crucial in supporting the Next Generation Launch Vehicle (NGLV), facilitating the launch of heavier payloads and significantly boosting the launch capacity of the LVM3 rocket. It will also enhance redundancy for the Gaganyaan missions, especially the planned Indian Crewed Moon Landing mission, and future human spaceflight programs.

Minister Vaishnaw highlighted that the new launch pad would not only address current launch needs but also offer scalable infrastructure for future space missions. The TLP will be co-located with the existing Second Launch Pad (SLP), optimizing the use of current facilities. The project is expected to be completed within 48 months, positioning India to meet the increasing demands of space exploration.

The TLP project will include the development of essential facilities such as a jet deflector, launch tower, and lightning suppression systems. It will also establish propellant storage and servicing facilities for liquid methane and cryogenic fuels, along with range systems and checkout interfaces to ensure efficient launches.

This approval is part of the government’s broader strategy to invest in India’s space sector, with several other significant initiatives receiving approval. These include the Semiconductor Unit under the India Semiconductor Mission (ISM), the Chandrayaan-4 mission, the Mission to Venus, and the development of next-generation satellite launch vehicles.

Other initiatives such as the Gaganyaan follow-on missions, the National Forensic Infrastructure Enhancement Scheme, and the Digital Agriculture Mission were also granted approval. In total, the Cabinet has sanctioned an investment of Rs 68,405 crore for various science, technology, and space-related initiatives, demonstrating the government’s focus on bolstering India’s scientific and technological capabilities.