Security plan finalised for Basant celebration in Lahore, report submitted to LHC

Lahore (Web Desk): Lahore is gearing up for Basant 2026 with a carefully crafted security plan that divides the city into Red, Yellow, and Green zones to manage the risks associated with kite flying.

The police have submitted the full strategy to the Lahore High Court (LHC) in line with court directives.

The move comes after Advocate Azhar Siddique filed a petition challenging both the Punjab Kite Flying Act and the government’s approval for the festival this year.

According to the police, the security measures were designed after reviewing ten years of data to anticipate potential hazards during the celebrations.

Under the plan, strict compliance with the Punjab Kite Flying Act will be enforced.

Only kites and strings that are officially registered and made of cotton will be allowed, while glass-coated, metallic, or chemically treated strings will not be tolerated.

Each kite and string will carry a unique QR code to ensure they can be traced.

Authorities will keep a close watch on kite flying through drones, social media monitoring, and dedicated control rooms operating around the clock.

Any rooftop drinking, aerial firing, or other illegal activity will be dealt with firmly.

Motorcyclists will be required to wear helmets and safety wires, and Red Zone access will be restricted to those with proper antennas.

To make the festivities easier for residents, the government is arranging 5,000 free rickshaws across the city.

At the same time, rescue services, health teams, and traffic police will remain on high alert throughout Basant to respond quickly to any emergencies and maintain public safety.