With hundreds of autorickshaws operating illegally within the city limits by taking advantage of loopholes in rules, both traffic police and RTA officials are going through a nightmarish spell as snarls increase. Most autorickshaws, traffic policemen say, use ambiguity in the number series to operate even in areas they are not technically allowed in. While officials are unaware of exactly how many autos are supposed to operate in the city, and how many are actually plying, an estimated 30,000 illegal autos are running on the city roads at present.

The traffic police has so far lodged more than 14,500 cases against illegal autos plying on city roads in the last 10 days of their special drive. They have charted out a mechanism of random checks on autorickshaws with number series of 28, 29 and 13 to check the menace. After the perusal of all the concerned GOs issued regarding three-wheeler contract carriages, it was decided that 68,469 autorickshaws of Hyderabad district, with registration series AP09, 10, 11,12 and 13, are authorised to move in the Hyderabad area.

Another 5,006 autorickshaws with registration series of AP28 and 29 are authorised to move in GHMC area including Hyderabad city. According to officials, autorickshaw drivers with permit to operate in Ranga Reddy district, and not technically within bounds of Hyderabad city, are often found within city limits.