New Delhi, Aug 17 - Thousands of people in Delhi Monday had a harrowing time reaching their destinations as over 55,000 auto-rickshaws went off the roads to protest the Delhi government's crackdown on drivers operating without permits, licences and pollution control certificates.

The two-day strike called under the banner of Bharatiya Tipahiya Chalak Sangh was joined by over 18 auto-rickshaw drivers' associations.

People commuting by auto-rickshaws had a tough time in finding autos, while the few plying on the roads were asking hefty amounts.

'My mother underwent an emergency eye surgery at a hospital in Saket and I was supposed to go and see her Monday morning. I waited for an auto-rickshaw for half an hour but could not find even one and had no idea of bus routes. Finally, I called up a friend and asked her to take me to hospital,' said Sudha Jain, a housewife.

To avoid any last-minute problems, many people tied with their friends and relatives to drop them so they could reach their offices on time.

'I knew about the auto strike, so I asked my father to drop me to office. He will come to pick me up also,' said Yashi Gupta, an IT professional.

'I managed to get an auto-rickshaw somehow even after he charged 30 percent more than routine days. We must have moved a few metres when a group of auto drivers stopped us and threatened the driver from taking any passenger.