Calcutta: The state government will revamp Balurghat airport in South Dinajpur and is planning to make it functional in six months.

The plan was discussed at a meeting between the Airports Authority of India (AAI) and the transport department on Tuesday.

The government directed the PWD and the other departments concerned to prepare an estimate for the construction of the terminal building, perimeter wall, electrical connections and the Air Traffic Control tower.

"A survey showed there's considerable demand for air connectivity from Balurghat. We can start with 28-seater aircraft between Calcutta and Balurghat," a transport department official said. "We want to start operations early next year."

The government had in 2016 signed an MoU with the AAI to develop the airport across 148 acres.

The government had built the runway last year at Rs 12 crore under the Centre's regional connectivity scheme. But nothing moved beyond that. There are no runway lights or apron floodlights, isolation bay lights or airport beacon.

"We have listed things that have to be put in place before starting operations," the official said.

"Specific jobs have been listed for every department with deadlines."

Apart from building infrastructure, the government has worked out the manpower requirement - manager, ATC in-charge, ground-handling manager and airport fuel services manager.

The transport department will review the speed of work with the AAI from time to time.

Improving the connectivity between North Bengal and Calcutta is the government's top priority ahead of the 2019 Lok Sabha polls, an official at Nabanna said.

Some are, however, sceptical. They cite the greenfield airport in Cooch Behar where the government has been struggling to find takers to operate flights.