A formal communication in the matter has already taken place between the top officials of the gas department and the VMC Commissioner, and it would now be sent to the Vadodara Police Commissioner, said sources.

Officials from the gas department had to face consumer ire in the walled city during routine checks to find out illegal connections. In some areas, the officials had to stop the activity fearing a backlash.

“We never asked for police protection in the past but we felt the need during the last few raids. That is why a formal application has been sent to the municipal commissioner. It will also be sent to the police department for their final nod,” said Shailesh Naik, the in-charge of the gas project.

The gas department will also register a formal police complaint against those who will be found having illegal connections or preventing any VMC official in doing their duty, said sources.

“We will now lodge FIR against those who are having illegal connections. The issue of registering the complaint was discussed and it has been decided to take the legal route instead of just fining them. Soon, we are going to start the drive and this time around, we will have police protection to avoid any hindrance,” said Naik.

Last week, the gas department officials, who had been to Yakutpura on a raid, were prevented from entering the area. By the time, the team reached the spot where 14 illegal connections had been obtained from a single connection, the culprits had escaped.