Shimla, Sept. 20 -- Coming down heavily on the National Highway Authority of India (NHAI) over poor maintenance of Parwanoo-Shimla section of the NH-5, the Himachal high court has said that certain stretches on this key artery connecting the state capital with the plains resemble the lunar landscape (in an apparent reference to the craters on moon surface).

"We have already noticed that in spite of pushing and prodding, the matter has been pending since 2017. The NHAI has failed to rise up to its expectations of maintaining this premium highway," read the September 18 detailed order.

Specifically pointing towards the stretch from Kaithligath to Shimla, the court said: "There are certain stretches near Shoghi Industrial area which are no...