Image Source : ISRO (X) Centre approves to build 3rd launch pad at Sriharikota. Ahead of the upcoming space missions, the Union Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, on Thursday (January 16) approved the establishment of the Third Launch Pad (TLP) at Satish Dhawan Space Centre of ISRO at Sriharikota, Andhra Pradesh. The launch pad is expected to be developed at a cost of Rs 3,984.86 crore in the coming four years. While India currently has two launch pads, it cannot support the new generation of heavier launch vehicles- critical for upcoming space missions including the Bharatiya Antariksh Station (BAS) by 2035 and an Indian Crewed Lunar Landing by 2040. The Third Launch Pad project envisages the establishment of the launch infrastructure at Sriharikota, Andhra Pradesh, for the Next Generation Launch Vehicles of ISRO and also to support the second launch pad at Sriharikota as a standby launch pad. This will also enhance the launch capacity for future Indian human spaceflight missions. TLP Project, which is of national importance, is designed to have a …