By Our Correspondent
LAHORE — The Lahore administration on Tuesday rolled out a comprehensive Basant Safety Plan aimed at ensuring the protection of life and property during the popular spring festival, announcing that fines will be imposed from Feb. 1 on motorcyclists riding without safety rods.
Capital City Police Officer (CCPO) Bilal Siddique Kamyana made the announcement at a ceremony held at Town Hall, where the Safe Basant initiative was formally launched in collaboration with Lahore Commissioner Maryam Khan. The event was attended by senior officials, including CTO Lahore Athar Waheed, Deputy Commissioner Lahore Capt. (retd) Ali Ijaz, and representatives from Rescue 1122, health, education, the Lahore Development Authority (LDA) and the Parks and Horticulture Authority (PHA).
Under the initiative, authorities plan to install safety rods on one million motorcycles free of cost to reduce injuries caused by kite strings. Pamphlets were also distributed to raise public awareness about safe celebrations and traffic safety.
Addressing the gathering, the CCPO reiterated a zero-tolerance policy on aerial firing and illegal kite flying, warning that strict legal action would be taken against violators. He said a special traffic management plan had been finalized to ease congestion and ensure smooth movement across the city during the festival.
Sharing enforcement figures, Mr. Kamyana said police had registered 1,078 cases and arrested 1,115 individuals this month as part of operations against illegal kite flying. Authorities also seized more than 40,000 kites and 926 spools manufactured and sold unlawfully.
Kite flying, he clarified, will only be permitted on Feb. 6, 7 and 8, with strict action planned for violations on any other day. Legal proceedings will also be initiated against parents or guardians if children are found involved in illegal kite flying.
Commissioner Maryam Khan said district and police administrations were fully mobilized on the directives of the Punjab chief minister. She announced that a free ride service for motorcyclists would be available across Lahore during Basant to promote safety.
To enhance monitoring, authorities will operate round-the-clock control rooms at the Safe City Authority and the commissioner’s office, using CCTV cameras and drones to oversee celebrations and respond quickly to emergencies.
Officials urged citizens and the media to play a responsible role in promoting safe, family-friendly Basant festivities across the city.
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