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Lahore authorities have warned that motorcycles without safety rods will face fines and may be impounded ahead of Basant. Safety rods are being installed across the city under the “Safe Basant” campaign, with free rods available at safety camps. Special traffic teams and officers will be on duty to enforce rules and ensure public safety during the festival. Authorities stressed that anyone violating safety SOPs will be dealt with firmly.
Deputy Inspector-General (DIG) of Lahore Faisal Kamran said on Tuesday that motorcycles without safety rods will face a fine of Rs 2,000 and may also be impounded. Speaking to reporters, he stressed that public safety remains the Punjab government’s top priority.
The warning comes as the city prepares for Basant, a festival historically linked with kite flying but also marred in the past by serious accidents caused by metal strings and unsafe riding conditions.
Earlier, Lahore’s Chief Traffic Officer (CTO) Athar Waheed said that more than 700,000 safety rods have already been installed on motorcycles across the city, with arrangements underway to add another 300,000. According to him, the goal is to ensure that every motorcycle on the road during Basant is properly fitted with safety equipment.
Dr Waheed said special traffic teams will be deployed on inner city routes, and motorcycles without safety rods will not be allowed to enter sensitive areas during the festival. Over 3,000 traffic police officers and personnel will be on duty to manage traffic and enforce safety rules.
As part of the “Safe Basant” campaign, free safety wires and rods are being installed at 100 safety camps set up across Lahore, including at Town Hall. The traffic police say they are aiming for 100% compliance before the festival begins.
