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Autorickshaw drivers of various unions have in a memorandum to the District Collector alleged that the transport department’s toll free number is being misused and their vehicles are being seized without any investigation.

Drivers of unions of CPI, CPM, Congress and AIADMK met District Collector TN Hariahran today and said the toll free number to lodge complaints was being misused and suspected foul play by a mini-bus owner.

There are nearly 200 autos in the Karumathampatti area plying since 2002. In 2015, the State Government launched a toll free number for passengers to complain against in case of overload or if an auto driver collected fares above the meter charge. The drivers alleged that a mini-bus owner in the region was misusing this facility and making wrong complaints.

The bus has been plying between Karumathampatti and Somanur without proper permission and they had complained about this to the Regional Transport Office and the local police station.

After this, there have been a number of false complaints, they allege, leading to several autos being seized. No inquiry had been conducted, they added.

It takes almost a month to get back a seized auto. Auto driver C Chandrasekar said his auto had been in a workshop for 20 days as part of repair to get the fitness certificate. “My auto was seized on charges of overload. No inquiry was conducted to find whether the calls were true or false,” he added.

They requested the Collector to take immediate action and ensure that autos are allowed to ply without hindrance.