Baguiati: Hundreds of commuters had a tough time on Sunday as more than 30 buses of route 30C between Babughat and Hatiara on the fringe of New Town stayed off the road to protest the beating up of a bus driver by autorickshaw drivers late on Saturday.

Autorickshaws and cycle rickshaws were in high demand, leading to long queues for autos.

"I had to wait for over 30 minutes before I could board an auto to the Hatiara bus stand," said Mousumi Chakraborty, 32, a tutor.

There was a serpentine queue at the Baguiati bus stand for autos that ply to Jatragachhi.

Swapna Das, a Baguiati resident, was caught unawares by the strike as were many others. "I had gone to Helabottala with my two children and returning home proved quite a challenge," she said.

Metered taxis made the most of the strike, demanding exorbitant fares for a 2.9km ride between Baguiati and Hatiara bus stands. The fare on a usual day is Rs 70 but on Sunday the demand went up to Rs 300.

A leader of the Trinamul- backed bus union alleged auto drivers often harassed bus drivers and conductors of the 30C and 30C/1 routes.

"They cause trouble for the buses and blame the drivers for blocking their way. One of the autos hit a passenger who was trying to board a Hatiara-bound bus at the Baguiati bus stand on Saturday," he said.

When the driver and the conductor of the bus protested, they were beaten up by autorickshaw drivers, the leader said. "The policemen posted at the crossing did nothing to save them."

An officer of Baguiati police station said they had received no complaint.

Some commuters alleged the autorickshaws were carrying more than four passengers to make a fast buck.

The bus union leader said a decision would be taken on Monday morning on whether service would be resumed.