The State transport department has begun cracking down on overcrowded autorickshaws, especially the modified ones that operate as share autos.
The transport department will also take stringent action against trucks and lorries found ferrying excessive number of passengers.
The action against share autorickshaws comes after a Madras High Court order directing the transport department to take action against autorickshaws flouting safety norms.
At a meeting on Thursday, transport zonal officials across the State were asked to take stringent action against errant autorickshaw drivers.
As per official estimates, there are 60,000 autorickshaws, including Ape autos, in the city. The Ape model vehicles have capacity for just three passengers but are often found ferrying more than twice the number.
“This month, we intercepted 400 overloaded vehicles across the city and warned them,” said a transport department official.
The officials state that they would first start off with a warning.
Repeat offenders would be issues a show-cause notice and their permits would be cancelled,” said the official.
