Lahore finalises SOPs for Basant celebrations

The district administration in Lahore has forwarded standard operating procedures (SOPs) to the Home Department for approval ahead of Basant celebrations.

According to officials, Basant will be observed on February 6, 7 and 8, with day-and-night festivities planned.

To ensure safety, drone-based monitoring will be carried out, with services to be hired from private firms.

Assistant commissioners, police personnel, the environment protection force and relevant officers will be responsible for enforcing the approved SOPs.

Sources said the sale of kites and string will begin from February 1. Manufacturing and sale will be allowed only after registration, subject to approval from the Home Department.

A registration and sale fee of Rs1,000 has been set, while licences for manufacturing and selling kites and string will be valid for one year.

Before a licence is issued, clearance from assistant commissioners and the police will be mandatory. Registration for the kite and string business will be applicable across Lahore.

Flying large kites or “gudda” kites will not be permitted. Kite flying and sales will be allowed for three days only; violations will result in arrests and heavy fines.

Breaching the SOPs may lead to up to three years’ imprisonment and a fine of up to Rs2 million.

During the Basant days, motorcyclists will be required to install protective wires.

The Deputy Commissioner of Lahore confirmed that the SOPs have been sent to the Home Department for approval and said the police, district administration and other departments are working in coordination to ensure strict implementation.

The administration has urged kite flyers and traders to fully comply with the approved safety measures.