Shimla, Aug. 31 -- Upset over the repeated traffic disruptions on the Chandigarh-Shimla National Highway (NH-5), the Himachal Pradesh high court has rapped National Highways Authority of India for failing to maintain the key route, cautioning that toll collection at the Sanwara plaza could be suspended if urgent corrective steps are not taken. "Apparently, the authorities (NHAI) are turning a blind eye to the maintenance of the crucial highway. It is not disputed that the said highway is under construction and renovation is being carried out for a long time and the petition is pending since 2017," observed the division bench of chief justice GS Sandhawalia and justice Ranjan Sharma during a hearing on August 28. The court directed the regional officer of the NHAI to be present in the court during the next hearing with a "comprehensive plan as to how this highway is to be maintained". In case the highway is not maintained, the court can order closure of toll tax collection at Sanwara plaza, said the HC bench. It also asked the NHAI to give details of the toll tax collected at Sanwara from the date of institution. "At Chakki Mor, the road has been shut for more than three occasions in July-August. The one-way traffic leads to long snarls, as much as 5 km on the either side, causing great inconvenience not only to the public but also affecting the economy of the state, especially keeping in view the fact that apple season is on and the farmers have to send their goods to the plains on daily basis," reads the detailed order....