Mysuru: Hundreds of auto drivers gathered  in front of the KSRTC Prepaid Auto service center to protest against “inaction” by the district administration on the violations by call taxis and app-based taxi drivers here on Friday.

According to the members of the association, call taxis were ruining their livelihood and the district administration was not taking any action against them.

The protest that began on Thursday night,  will continue till Friday midnight. The strike has been called by the Mysuru City and District Auto Drivers’ Association. The association has 18 other auto associations under its umbrella and the strike is expected to be total.

The main grievance of auto drivers is that app-based taxis wait for passengers near the designated auto counters and attract commuters.

“As per rules, call taxis have to operate via Internet-based apps and through call centers. Unfortunately, they enter the core area of the city and pick up passengers from auto stands and other crowded areas,” said M Lakshmana, honorary president of the association.

“Since they have claimed that they have lower fares, people naturally take those taxis. This has affected our business and we have nowhere to go,” he added.

“We are planning a jatha on March 30 to draw the attention of the district administration and the government,” Lakshman said.

The district administration that is supposed to look into the issue was turning a blind eye into the problem and many representations to the authorities have not yielded results.

Hundreds of taxis ply on the city roads while permits have been sanctioned only for a few taxis. Not only big operators, people who were earlier running tourist taxis were switching over to these app-based vehicles to reap profits, he alleged.