Sambalpur, March 17: The public health engineering department (PHED) will launch a door-to-door campaign to urge residents to regularise illegal water supply connection.

Executive engineer of the department M.R. Nanda said: "Our staff will visit every house that has an illegal water connection with a letter urging them to regularise it. An application form will also be given to them along with the letter. If anybody wants to take the step, he can fill up the form and give it to our staff. He will later be called to deposit required amount to legalise the connection,"

The PHED is also organising fair at different parts of the city to appeal to the households to regularise the illegal water connection.

So far, three Jala Sanjoga Mela have been organised at different parts of the city. More than 200 people regularised their illegal connection at these fairs.

"We will continue holding such event at different parts of the city. At the same time, we will also issue letter to every households. Residents, who have not been able to regularise their connections at the fairs, will get an opportunity to do it when our staff visit them," said Nanda.

The decision to launch a drive to regularise the illegal water connection was taken after the district administration and the PHED had a tough time identifying the leakages in drinking water pipes after the outbreak of the jaundice in the city.

Reports said Sambalpur has about 42,000 households of which, only 12,500 households have legal water connection.

"This is a welcome move. Several people, who want to regularise their connection, will be able to do it," said a resident, BIjaya Sahu.