Navi Mumbai [India], September 9: Veteran Marathi actress Vandana Gupte has raised questions over the lack of proper directional signage on roads leading to Navi Mumbai International Airport (NMIA). In videos shared on social media, the actress said she struggled to identify the correct route to the airport while travelling from Mumbai and questioned why clear airport signs were missing from major roads.
Known for her outspoken personality, Gupte documented her experience during her journey to Navi Mumbai airport and shared two videos on Instagram. She said the absence of prominent airport signs left both her and her driver uncertain about whether they were following the correct route.
Vandana Gupte Questions Missing Airport Signs
In her first video, Gupte explained that she was travelling from Shivaji Park in Mumbai to Navi Mumbai International Airport to catch a flight to Kolhapur.
She said she travelled via the Atal Setu and expected to see clear signs directing motorists towards the airport. However, according to her, she could see signboards mentioning destinations such as Pune, Uran and Goa, but could not find a prominent sign indicating that the road led to Navi Mumbai airport.
The actress said the situation became confusing because her driver was also trying to determine the correct route. She questioned why there was no easily recognisable airport symbol or large directional board along the route.
“If this road leads to the airport, please put up a board.”
She also questioned why travellers should have to depend entirely on assumptions or navigation applications to locate a major international airport.
‘If You Can’t Afford It, I’ll Pay’
Gupte’s frustration became more pointed as she continued recording the journey.
She said that if the authorities or airport administration were unable to bear the cost of installing proper directional boards, she was willing to pay for them herself.
Her message was essentially that the issue should not be difficult to resolve, especially considering the importance of the airport and the number of passengers expected to use it.
She also asked the authorities to simply tell her where the boards should be installed if they needed financial assistance.
‘I Don’t Know Where I’m Going’
In another video, Gupte said that she was still confused about the route and that even her driver was unsure whether they were heading towards the airport.
She mentioned seeing a small airport-related board at one point but said there was confusion about whether that was actually the correct road.
The actress described the experience as confusing and said she did not know exactly where the road was taking her.
She further pointed out that the airport is becoming increasingly important, with more flights being routed through Navi Mumbai. She therefore urged the authorities to address the signage issue quickly.
A Signage Problem Has Been Reported Earlier Too
Gupte’s complaint comes against the backdrop of earlier concerns about airport connectivity and road signage.
A road test conducted by Mid-Day in September 2025 had also highlighted a lack of clear signage directing motorists towards Navi Mumbai International Airport along parts of the route after Atal Setu and on JNPT and Uran roads. The report noted that first-time visitors could face confusion without proper directional boards.
More recently, concerns about deteriorating directional signs have also been reported elsewhere in Navi Mumbai. An eSakal report from September 3 said several signboards on the Sion-Panvel Highway had become worn out, with names and directions no longer clearly visible.
Why Clear Signage Matters for Navi Mumbai Airport
With Navi Mumbai International Airport rapidly expanding its passenger operations, clear road guidance has become increasingly important.
The airport crossed the three-million-passenger mark on September 1, 2026, less than nine months after commercial operations began, highlighting the growing volume of traffic moving through the facility.
For passengers travelling for the first time, especially those coming from Mumbai or other parts of Maharashtra, visible and strategically placed signboards can make the journey considerably easier.
Large airport symbols, route names, terminal directions and advance signs at major junctions can help drivers make decisions well before reaching an exit or turning point.
Vandana Gupte’s Message Draws Attention
Vandana Gupte’s videos have brought renewed attention to an issue that directly affects passengers rather than just being an infrastructure concern.
Her criticism is particularly notable because she described the problem from the perspective of a passenger travelling to the airport herself. Rather than simply criticising the administration, she also offered to personally fund the installation of directional boards if cost was the obstacle.
Her comments have once again raised questions about whether the road network around Navi Mumbai International Airport currently provides enough visible guidance for motorists.
With passenger traffic continuing to grow, the demand for better airport signage, clearer directions and smoother road connectivity is likely to become increasingly important.
