Guwahati: Locals expressed anger over the Guwahati Municipal Corporation's inability to evict street vendors from SS Road in Fancy Bazar where property worth Rs 40 lakh was gutted in a fire at Rupayan Arcade, a four-storied building.

The cause of the fire, that started at 8am, is yet to be ascertained.

"In 2016, Gauhati High Court directed to vacate the SS Road to mitigate any kind of disaster in Fancy Bazar, which is the busiest commercial place in the city. The court directed the corporation and other officials concerned to take necessary action instantly. But till date the corporation has not take any step," Market Development Association general secretary Mobarak Hussain said.

The road remains crowded with vendors and buyers and it becomes difficult for any emergency service to enter the area.

"In November, a person died of cardiac arrest as an ambulance could not get into the area," Hussain said.

Altogether 16 fire tenders rushed to the spot.

Deputy director of fire and emergency service Jayashree Khersa said it took around three hours to douse the flames. No one was injured in the incident, she said.

Mayor Mrigen Sarania said, "We have plan to shift the SS Road vendors to GMC Market in Fancy Bazar. The tender will be called very soon and the project will be carried out at a of cost around Rs 15 crore."

"There are around 600 vendors in this area. We will relocate them in some area in the three storied GMC Market."