India, May 3 -- The National Green Tribunal (NGT), Western Zone bench in Pune, has issued a notice to the state government, the Mira-Bhayandar Municipal Corporation (MBMC) and other agencies, directing them to file replies within six weeks, after admitting a petition challenging the Chena River beautification project.

The plan, an elaborate riverfront development project in Kashimira, envisions promenades, commercial structures, tourism infrastructure and roads along the river, the only one still flowing naturally out of the Sanjay Gandhi National Park (SGNP). Brainchild of state transport minister Pratap Sarnaik, whose constituency includes Mira-Bhayandar, the project is located in the buffer zone of the SGNP and allegedly violates seve...