A year has passed since the tragic crash of Air India Flight AI-171, but for the families who lost their loved ones, time has not healed the pain. As the first anniversary of the disaster approaches, many of them are making one heartfelt request: preserve the crash site as a place of remembrance instead of redeveloping it completely.
The Gujarat government plans to demolish the damaged hostel buildings of B.J. Medical College and redevelop the land. While the families say they are not against redevelopment, they believe there should also be a permanent memorial where they can remember those they lost. In a letter sent to the authorities, the families wrote that the crash site is much more than just a piece of land.
“For us, this place is connected to lives, memories, grief, and irreversible loss. It is not merely land or infrastructure.”
They appealed to the government to preserve part of the area as a memorial instead of turning the entire site into new public facilities. The families believe such a memorial would not only help them cope with their loss but would also remind future generations of the importance of aviation safety and accountability.
The letter says that the memorial should become “a permanent public acknowledgement of the lives lost and the lessons that must never be forgotten,” “Our world ended here.”
Parth Patel, who lost his mother, uncle, and aunt in the crash, says that while many people see the site as a redevelopment project, the families see it very differently, “To the world, this may be a redevelopment zone, but for us, this is where our world ended. A permanent memorial should be built to honour every soul who lost their life.”
Pain that still hasn’t faded
For 25-year-old Janvi Purohit from Anand district, the approaching anniversary has brought back painful memories of losing her brother, Akash. She says no amount of money can replace a loved one.
“Nothing can bring the dead back or fill the emptiness. Since the tragedy, both my parents have been suffering from panic attacks. I believe there should be a permanent tribute at the crash site to honour everyone who lost their lives.”
A place to heal
Ahmedabad resident David Rozar Christian, who lost both his son and daughter-in-law in the accident, also supports the demand. He clarified that the families are not opposing the government’s redevelopment plans, but they want a dedicated place where they can pay their respects.
“We are not against any other project. But there should also be a memorial where families can come, remember their loved ones, and find some peace.”
Looking at international examples
Captain C.S. Randhawa, President of the Federation of Indian Pilots (FIP), believes the families’ request deserves serious consideration. He pointed to the 1985 Air India Flight 182 (Kanishka) tragedy, after which Canada built a national memorial in Ottawa to honour the victims.
According to him, India should consider doing something similar for those who lost their lives in the AI-171 crash. The letter said, “The victims deserve to be remembered. Their families deserve a place where they can pay tribute and keep their memories alive.”
More than a building
For many families, the crash site is not simply a damaged structure waiting for redevelopment. It represents the final place connected to their loved ones.
As India marks one year since one of its worst aviation disasters, these families are asking for something simple but deeply meaningful – a quiet place where they can return, remember, and grieve. Because while buildings can be rebuilt, memories cannot be replaced.
Also Read: ‘No More Interim Reports’: Pilots’ Federation Questions AI-171 Crash Probe https://www.vibesofindia.com/ai-171-crash-pilots-body-questions-probe-demands-final-report/
