Darjeeling, Nov. 7: Darjeeling Gorkha Hill Council chairman Subash Ghisingh today joined the chorus for international status to Bagdogra airport.

Speaking at the inauguration ceremony of the revamped Shrubbery Nightingale Park here this evening, Ghisingh said the state capital would have to play a pro-active role to boost tourism in the hills.

Calcutta had to be converted to a headquarters for the tourism circuit covering Nepal, Sikkim and the Darjeeling hills, he added. “Bagdogra airport needs to be given international status as this will give a fillip to the economy of places like Darjeeling and Kurseong.”

Representatives of the tourism industry from Sikkim and north Bengal have been demanding upgrade of the airport.

Former civil aviation minister Shahnawaz Hussain had said the Centre was contemplating upgrading the status of the airport. Even Union tourism minister Jagmohan, during his visit to Darjeeling early this June, spoke on the same lines.

Following the change of guard, present civil aviation minster Rajiv Pratap Rudy made it clear that the Centre had no such plans for Bagdogra airport.

Ghisingh said Darjeeling was the destination of choice among low budget tourists and added that the revamped park was also aimed at attracting visitors.

Ghisingh planned the area with music fountains, a lake and illumination.