Plan to celebrate Basant in Lahore on limited scale submitted to Punjab govt

The local authorities are planning to celebrate Basant on a limited scale in Lahore, 24NewsHD TV reported on Friday.

According to the report, the Lahore deputy commissioner has submitted recommendations to the government about Basant celebrations. The Basant Festival will be held for only two days: Saturday and Sunday.

The proposal says that Basant should be allowed in the Walled City of Lahore on a limited scale. These Walled City areas include Shahi Qila, Mochi Gate, Bhati Gate and Rang Mahal.

An important meeting was held recently on this issue under the chairmanship of Senior Provincial Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb. At the meeting, the local authorities proposed one-day Basant celebrations in Lahore.

The Lahore administration has prepared a "safe Basant plan" and submitted it to the Punjab government. There will be a complete ban on the use of sharp metal, nylon and chemical strings during Basant celebrations.

Only strings made of cotton or starch will be allowed. Barcodes will be made mandatory on strings and kites. Strict action will be taken against unregistered kite sellers. There will be a crackdown on those who make and sell unsafe string. A ban has been proposed on motorcycles in the areas where Basant will be celebrated. Safety antennas and neck covers will be mandatory for motorcyclists. Safety nets and wire protection systems will be installed on main roads. Special teams of police, rescue and administration will be deployed in each Basant zone.

High-definition CCTV cameras will be installed in festival areas. The administration also presented safe sizes of kites. There will be a ban on large kites; only light weight kites will be allowed to fly during Basant celebrations.

Special police control rooms will be set up in Basant zones. There will be a complete ban on aerial firing and dangerous sports during Basant. Joint monitoring committees of the district government and police have been formed to monitor the situation. Committees have also been formed to remove legal complications, which could affect the Basant celebrations.

The final decision on permission for Basant will be taken by Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz.