Lahorites gear up for Basant as sale of kites begins

LAHORE (Dunya News) - The sale of kites and string will begin from Sunday (today) in Lahore as the festival of Basant will be celebrated on Feb 6, 7 and 8 after the gap of over two decades.

In Lahore, 2,246 traders have been granted permission to buy and sell kites and related material.

Shops selling kites and string have been allowed to open from Sunday, and trading will continue until February 8.

After February 8, a complete ban will be imposed on the manufacturing and sale of kites.

So far, 2,504 traders have applied online for registration, with 163 applications currently under process, while 95 applications have been rejected.

Meanwhile, the registration process will remain open until February 8, and further registrations are still being accepted.

Five-day holiday announced in Lahore ahead of Basant celebrations

Moreover, the mission to provide free travel facilities during Basant has been launched, as the Punjab Mass Transit Authority has finalized its plan.

From February 6 to 8, free travel will be available on Metro Bus Service, Orange Line Metro Train, Speedo buses, and electric buses.

The Orange Line Metro Train, operating from Dera Gujran to Ali Town, will facilitate approximately 270,000 passengers daily.

With 64 metro buses, free travel will be provided from Shahdara to Gajumata, enabling nearly 150,000 passengers to commute daily without fare.

For Lahore feeder routes, 188 buses will operate across 21 routes, while under the PMA initiative, 40 electric buses will provide free travel on two routes in Lahore.

Overall, around 600,000 passengers are expected to benefit daily from the free travel facility.