The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) is advancing plans to operationalise its largest rocket launchpad by 2029. The Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota, Andhra Pradesh, will develop a third launch pad (TLP) estimated to cost ₹3,985 crore (approximately $460 million). It will complement the two current launch pads at India’s only operating spaceport.
Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh confirmed to Parliament that financial approval for the project was granted in March 2025. The geotechnical surveys and topographical assessments were finished by May. Roadworks and electrical packages are being reviewed, with many building phases already identified.
Civil works are scheduled to be completed in May 2028, propellant and fluid systems in July, launch facilities in September, and final commissioning in March 2029. The Department of Space intends to engage Indian industry through competitive tendering, in line with the ‘Make-in-India’ and ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’ initiatives.
It will also function as a backup for the second pad. Furthermore, India is building a second spaceport at Kulasekarapattinam, Tamil Nadu, to allow for more fuel-efficient launches of smaller rockets into polar orbits, avoiding the need for detours at Sriharikota due to Sri Lankan airspace.
