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The Gujarat government has announced the reconstruction of the hostel complex of B J Medical College in Ahmedabad, which was severely damaged in a previous Air India crash at the site. The state plans to develop a modern facility at an estimated cost of INR 105 crore, with support from Tata Group, which has agreed to contribute INR 53.12 crore for the damage. However, families of victims have requested that the location be preserved as a memorial space for reflection and remembrance, seeking consultation before any final redevelopment decisions are taken.
The Gujarat government has decided to rebuild the hostel complex of B J Medical College that was extensively damaged after an Air India aircraft crashed into the premises in the Meghaninagar area after take-off from Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport. The incident, which occurred in 2005, resulted in the loss of 241 people onboard and 19 people on the ground, with only one survivor. Advertisement
The state has planned to construct an ultra-modern hostel facility at the same location with an estimated investment of INR 105 crore. This redevelopment plan was confirmed by Health Minister Praful Pansheriya, who noted that the Tata Group, owner of Air India, has agreed to contribute INR 53.12 crore towards compensation for damage caused to the hostel blocks, canteen, and sub-station building near the Civil Hospital.
The government has stated that a structural audit conducted after the incident found the existing buildings unsafe, making demolition necessary. To avoid disruption in accommodation for medical students and doctors, authorities have decided to rebuild a larger and upgraded facility.
The proposed project includes a ground-plus-eight structure named ‘Atulyam 1 to 7’, designed to accommodate 236 doctors, including married residents who may live with their spouses. The plan also includes a canteen block and a new sub-station building.
Each studio-style unit is planned to feature a living room with an attached kitchen, bedroom, and toilet facilities. Additional amenities will include basement parking, separate housing for unmarried postgraduate students, a gymnasium, recreation spaces, and landscaped areas as part of the campus development plan.
However, families of victims have expressed concern over redevelopment at the crash site. In communications shared through a law firm representing 115 affected families, they have urged authorities to preserve the location as a space of memory and reflection. They have also requested that the government consult them before making any irreversible decisions regarding the site. In their correspondence, they stated that the location holds deep emotional significance linked to loss and remembrance, and suggested that a memorial would serve as a public acknowledgment of the lives lost and the need for safety and accountability.
The government has also noted that a provision of INR 34.65 crore has already been allocated in the 2026–27 budget for the project, against a planned total allocation of INR 51.84 crore.
Source PTI
5th Jun, 2025
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