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BJ Medical College: At the Heart of Tragedy and Healing, 40 Years After First Air Crash

  • Posted on June 15, 2025
  • News
  • By Arijit Dutta
  • 220 Views

Forty years after a deadly crash, BJ Medical College in Ahmedabad again became ground zero during this week’s Air India tragedy. The historic institution, damaged in the incident, led emergency response efforts, just as it had during past national disasters. Despite repeated crises, it remains a pillar of Gujarat’s healthcare system.

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Four decades after a deadly plane crash near Ahmedabad, BJ Medical College has once again found itself at the epicenter of a national tragedy. This week’s Air India Boeing 787 crash — India's worst single-aircraft disaster in recent memory — struck near the historic medical college, severely damaging hostel buildings and dining facilities on its expansive Meghaninagar campus.

BJ Medical College, Gujarat’s oldest and among India’s most iconic medical institutions, played a central role in emergency response, much like it did in the 1988 Indian Airlines crash that claimed 133 lives just 2.5 kilometers from the Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel airport. Then, as now, the proximity of the medical college made it the first port of call for emergency care and rescue operations.

Established in 1871 with only 14 students, the institution grew to become a medical hub for the state. Its main hospital now has 2,500 beds, with an additional 1,200-bed facility added in 2019. The campus is shared with the government-run Civil Hospital, which has consistently been at the forefront during major crises — from the Bhuj earthquake in 2001 and the 2002 Akshardham Temple attack, to the 2008 bombings and recent pandemics.

Though parts of the medical college were damaged in Thursday’s crash, the spirit of service remains unshaken. Doctors, staff, and emergency workers responded swiftly, upholding the institution’s legacy as a center for critical care in the face of disasters.

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Over the years, BJ Medical College has also become a center for academic excellence, with hundreds of undergraduate and postgraduate students admitted annually, and over 300 kidney transplants performed each year. Its resilience continues to reflect its long-standing commitment to public service and medical excellence.

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Arijit Dutta

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