BJ Medical College Approves Hostel Demolition 1 Year After Air India Crash as June 12 Memorials Near
Updated
Updated · BBC.com · Jun 7
BJ Medical College Approves Hostel Demolition 1 Year After Air India Crash as June 12 Memorials Near
1 articles · Updated · BBC.com · Jun 7
Summary
BJ Medical College has approved demolition of the hostel complex torn open by last June's Air India crash and plans to build a new hostel, though the wreckage still stands on campus.
260 people died in the disaster, including 241 on the London-bound flight and 19 on the ground, leaving students, staff and nearby families still living with visible ruins and lasting trauma.
June 12 anniversary events will include a prayer meeting, a blood donation drive and tree planting, as the college tries to mark the loss while keeping classes, exams and campus life going.
Investigators are expected to release a crash report soon, but for many in Ahmedabad the unanswered questions sit alongside a more immediate reality: a disaster site that remains part of daily life.
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Air India Flight 171 Crash: One Year On—260 Lives Lost, Contested Causes, and the Fight for Accountability and Remembrance
Overview
As the first anniversary of the Air India Flight 171 crash at BJ Medical College approaches, the site is at the center of both ongoing investigations and major redevelopment plans. Multiple teams are still gathering evidence, and once their work is complete, the buildings directly impacted by the crash—despite appearing intact—will be demolished due to concerns about hidden structural damage. The Gujarat government has approved a new, modern hostel complex for medical professionals, aiming to enhance accommodation and safety. This redevelopment, alongside plans for a memorial, reflects a commitment to both rebuilding and honoring those lost in the tragedy.