Cracking the whip, Delhi government has cancelled the permits of nearly 3,300 autorickshaws for failing to comply with the prescribed guidelines.

Officials in the Transport Department said these autorickshaws failed to apply for smart card-based permits within the stipulated deadline.

All permit holders of autorickshaws in the city were told in November 2009 to apply for smart card-based permits as part of the government's efforts to maintain proper records of the three-wheelers.

Despite extending the date for applying for smart card-based permits several times in the last 18 months, 3,290 permit holders failed to apply for the same following which the Transport Department has decided to cancel their permits with effect from today, they said.

The government had decided to introduce smart card-based permits to keep digital records of the autorickshaws, including offences committed by auto drivers.

According to official figures, Delhi has about 55,000 autorickshaws at present.

Following persistent demands by auto unions, Delhi government had effected a 35 per cent hike in auto fare in June last year but had warned them that they will face action if they fail to improve their services.

The government had also told auto unions that permits will be cancelled if the autorickshaw owners fail to install Global Positioning System (GPS) in their vehicles.

However, auto owners have not heeded to the instruction so far.