January 10, 2026: Navi Mumbai International Airport (NMIA) has rolled out a multi-pronged plan to provide consistent digital connectivity for passengers, transport operators, and airport staff, as the new greenfield airport ramps up operations in the Mumbai Metropolitan Region. The airport, jointly owned by the Adani Group and CIDCO, became operational on December 25.
The airport operator said it is combining infrastructure policy, operational planning, and on-ground support to address connectivity challenges across terminal areas. The announcement comes amid a recent dispute after the Cellular Operators Association of India (COAI) sought intervention from the Department of Telecommunications over alleged denial of Right of Way (RoW) permissions and higher infrastructure charges. The Adani Group has rejected these allegations, maintaining it will not yield to “cartelisation” of rates.
Right of Way permissions relate to the laying of telecom infrastructure such as cables and towers. NMIA said it has proposed charging telecom service providers infrastructure rates comparable to those at Mumbai International Airport Ltd (MIAL). “As airports evolve into digitally driven transit hubs, reliable connectivity has become a core component of the passenger experience. At NMIA, a combination of infrastructure policy, operational planning and human intervention is being deployed to address connectivity challenges across terminal areas,” an NMIAL spokesperson said.
NMIAL operates as a special-purpose vehicle, with a 74% stake held by the Adani Group and 26% by CIDCO. The operator said multiple measures have been introduced to simplify internet access for passengers, visitors, cab drivers, and airport personnel. Wi-Fi login instructions are displayed across flight information screens and digital platforms within the terminal.
Physical standees with step-by-step guidance have been placed in arrival halls, departure zones, and circulation areas. Passengers can also obtain one-time password tokens from designated kiosks by producing valid identification as per government norms. Wardens in high-visibility yellow uniforms have been deployed at key locations, including baggage reclaim areas and cab pick-up zones, to assist users facing connectivity issues.
Instructional videos explaining the internet access process are being circulated among passengers and drivers. Additionally, NMIA is coordinating with radio cab operators and app-based aggregators, introducing a first-in, first-out vehicle allocation system to ensure cab availability even during temporary connectivity disruptions.
Source: Communications Today
