Navi Mumbai: Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Priyanka Chaturvedi has launched a scathing attack on the operators, the Adani Group, of the newly opened Navi Mumbai International Airport (NMIA), accusing them of fostering a "profit mafia" following reports of a standoff between the airport and major telecommunications providers.

The controversy erupted after the Cellular Operators Association of India (COAI), representing giants like Reliance Jio, Bharti Airtel, and Vodafone Idea, sought urgent government intervention. The body alleges that Navi Mumbai International Airport Ltd (NMIAL), owned by the Adani Group, has denied them the statutory Right of Way (RoW) to install their own 4G and 5G infrastructure.

In an X post on Wednesday, Ms Chaturvedi linked the "poor network connectivity" reported by early passengers to the ongoing commercial dispute.

"The airport operator has denied the telecom operators the statutory RoW permissions and instead imposing an in-built telecom network at prohibitive rates," Chaturvedi said. "Here comes the business of profit mafia. My way or the highway for public infrastructure?"

The COAI claims that NMIAL is forcing telcos to use an airport-installed network at "exorbitant and commercially untenable" rates, reportedly seeking approximately 9.2 million rupees (£87,000) per month from each operator. The association argued these charges are "grossly disproportionate" and violate the Telecommunications Act 2023.

NMIAL, which commenced commercial operations on 25 December, has rejected the allegations. In a strongly worded statement, the airport operator denied ever refusing access and accused the telecom companies of "cartelisation" regarding rates.

The airport management defended its decision to install its own "neutral host" infrastructure, citing security requirements and the need to ensure coverage in less populated areas like baggage belts and air traffic control, which it claims are often neglected by private providers.

"We welcome individual TSPs to discuss and mutually agree on rates. However, we will not give in to any cartelisation in this regard," the NMIAL statement said, adding that the state-owned BSNL is already testing the airport’s system.

The standoff has reportedly left passengers at the flagship infrastructure project struggling with signal issues. Ms Chaturvedi questioned the role of oversight bodies in the dispute, asking: "Should government agencies have not ensured that the airport operator ensure connectivity and passenger convenience?"

The COAI has urged the Department of Telecommunications to take action against the operator for allegedly creating an "impermissible monopolistic arrangement."

With inputs from PTI