From Devastation to Development: Gujarat’s ₹547 crore plan to rebuild AI171 crash-affected campus in Ahmedabad

A year after the Air India AI171 tragedy killed 260 people, Gujarat has approved a ₹547 crore redevelopment plan to transform the crash-affected campus into a modern healthcare and education hub.

New Delhi: The Gujarat government has announced a ₹547 crore redevelopment project to rebuild and transform the campus that was severely damaged in the Air India Flight AI171 crash a year ago, which claimed 260 lives.

From Tragedy Site To Medical Hub

The project aims to convert the affected area into a modern centre for healthcare, education, and medical research. Gujarat Health Minister Praful Panseria said the initiative is intended to honour those who lost their lives while creating a new space for learning and healing.

He described the redevelopment as an effort to turn a site of tragedy into a symbol of progress, focusing on advanced medical infrastructure and student facilities.

Campus Details And Existing Infrastructure

The New Mental Campus, operated under the Department of Health and Family Welfare, is located near the Asarwa Civil Hospital in Ahmedabad and spans over 1.71 lakh square metres.

Before the crash, the campus included residential quarters, undergraduate and postgraduate hostels, and a central mess facility. The infrastructure supported hundreds of medical students and staff, including staff housing blocks and multiple hostel units.

Crash Damage And Reconstruction Plan

The Air India AI171 crash on June 12, 2025, caused extensive damage after the aircraft struck hostel buildings and a canteen within the campus. Following the incident, authorities shifted students to temporary accommodation.

Officials have now decided to demolish all damaged structures and redesign the affected zone entirely. The cleared area will be used for new healthcare institutions and expanded student housing.

New Hospitals, Colleges And Training Centres

A major portion of the site will be dedicated to a Paraplegia and Spine Hospital, a rehabilitation centre, and a physiotherapy college, along with a hostel for around 500 students. This phase alone is estimated to cost about ₹295 crore.

Additionally, new hostel blocks for postgraduate students and expanded dining facilities are planned, with an investment of around ₹192 crore.

A Food and Drugs Laboratory will also be constructed on the campus, designed to match advanced NABL standards. The facility is expected to cost nearly ₹50 crore upon completion.

Long-Term Vision For The Campus

Once completed, the redeveloped campus is expected to emerge as a major hub for medical education, healthcare services, and research in Gujarat, offering upgraded infrastructure for students, professionals, and patients.