A corporation worker intensifies fogging at ward No. 21 keeping in view dengue scare in Cuttack. Picture by Badrika Nath Das

Bhubaneswar, July 15: Another chariot is set to roll in the state, this time for health reasons!

To raise awareness on the need of proper sanitation during monsoon, the health and family welfare department has decided to set a chariot in motion from August 1. The rath christened “Nidhi Mausa” will move across the state till August 15.

Health and family welfare minister Damodar Rout said students of schools and colleges would be encouraged to take part in the awareness campaign.

“We have also decided to involve public representatives at the panchayat level,” he said.

During the fortnight-long programme, the state government will create awareness about water-borne diseases such as malaria, dengue and diarrhoea. There is also a plan to involve NGOs in this programme. Malaria continues to be the major killer in the state with the number of reported deaths, however, going down over the years — 79 in 2012, 100 in 2011 and 204 in 2010.

“We have also decided to organise street plays on various health related programmes focusing on malaria. Besides cultural programmes will also be held at the village level with the theme centred on steering clear of the diseases,” said an official, adding that people would be asked to drink clean water and sleep inside mosquito nets.