Basant Bahar Draws Record Crowds as 900,000 Vehicles Enter Lahore in Three Days

Lahore (Web Desk) – Lahore witnessed an unprecedented influx of visitors and celebratory activity during the three-day Basant Festival, as a record 900,000 vehicles entered the provincial capital, marking one of the largest festive mobilisations in the city’s recent history. The large turnout, combined with extensive public transport usage and strict safety enforcement, underscored what the Punjab government termed a “historic and safe Basant.”

Chief Minister Punjab Maryam Nawaz Sharif chaired a special video link meeting on Sunday to review arrangements, security measures, and public response to the festival. Senior Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb presented a comprehensive two-day performance report, while detailed briefings were also given by Home Secretary Ahmed Jawad Qazi, the Commissioner Lahore, and senior officials from the Health Department, Parks and Horticulture Authority (PHA), police, and other security agencies.

Expressing satisfaction over the overall conduct of the festival, the chief minister commended the coordinated efforts of all departments involved in ensuring public safety, traffic management, healthcare preparedness, and enforcement of standard operating procedures (SOPs). She noted that the festival had been celebrated in a peaceful, organised, and responsible manner, reflecting a strong sense of civic discipline among Lahorites.

Maryam Nawaz Sharif reminded citizens that Sunday marked the final day of the Basant Festival and announced that kite flying would be stopped at night. She further clarified that the ban on kite flying would remain strictly enforced after the conclusion of the three-day celebrations. Appreciating the cooperation shown by residents, she appealed to the public to continue adhering to prescribed rules and safety SOPs until the very end of the festival.

A major highlight of the Basant celebrations was the extraordinary use of public transport, which set new records across multiple services. According to official figures presented during the meeting, nearly 1.4 million passengers availed themselves of free travel facilities on government-run transport systems over the past two days alone.

Authorities informed the chief minister that approximately 600,000 passengers travelled free of cost on the Orange Line Metro Train, including 299,000 passengers on Friday and 305,000 on Saturday. The Metro Bus system recorded a total of 278,000 passengers, with 143,000 travelling on Friday and 135,000 on Saturday. Speedo feeder buses served 357,000 passengers over the two days, including 174,000 on Friday and 182,000 on Saturday.

In addition, 30,000 passengers used electrobus feeder routes, evenly split between the two days, while buses operating under the Regional Transport Authority facilitated travel for 60,000 passengers. Green Electric Buses also saw strong usage, carrying 52,000 passengers, including 25,000 on Friday and 27,000 on Saturday.

Officials further briefed the chief minister that 419 buses remained available for free public travel in Lahore on the final day of Basant, with complimentary rides continuing on the Orange Line Metro Train, Metro Bus, feeder buses, and Green Electric Buses until late Sunday night. To further facilitate mobility, the Punjab government also arranged free rides on 6,000 Yango rickshaws across the city for the day.

Maryam Nawaz Sharif directed authorities to maintain strict safety and enforcement measures on the final day of the festival, stressing that only kites and strings of approved size and standard would be permitted. She emphasised that public safety remained the government’s top priority and that zero tolerance would be shown toward violations.

Earlier, in a separate media message, the chief minister warmly praised the people of Lahore for celebrating Basant responsibly and ensuring full compliance with safety SOPs. She expressed gratitude and satisfaction, stating that citizens had upheld the trust placed in them by the provincial government.

“I am very happy today because Lahore is very happy,” she said, adding, “Alhamdulillah, the people of Lahore have played a vital role in making this Basant joyful yet safe.”

CM Punjab extends Basant timing by five hours

Reflecting on the festive spirit, the chief minister said that traditional Basant elements — including delicious food, colourful kites, friendly kite battles, and the playful chase of falling kites — brought genuine happiness to the city, while still remaining within the bounds of safety and regulation.

She noted with satisfaction that no reports had been received regarding the use of prohibited metallic strings or kites exceeding approved specifications. According to the chief minister, celebrations on rooftops were conducted responsibly, strictly in line with the defined SOPs, helping prevent accidents and infrastructure damage.

Maryam Nawaz Sharif highlighted that electricity transformers across Lahore remained safe throughout the celebrations due to the non-use of metallic kite strings, a long-standing concern during previous Basant seasons. She credited preemptive planning, strict enforcement, and public cooperation for this success.

By the grace of Allah Almighty, she said, the preventive measures taken proved effective, adding that Lahore’s “Safe Basant” model would now serve as an example for other cities across Punjab. She expressed confidence that similar festivals could be organised elsewhere by adopting Lahore’s framework of safety, regulation, and community participation.

The chief minister also lauded the extensive healthcare arrangements made during the festival. She pointed out that more than 200 clinics-on-wheels and 21 field hospitals were deployed across the city, including high-density areas such as Liberty Market and the inner city. These facilities remained fully operational to respond swiftly to any medical emergencies, ensuring public confidence and preparedness.

Concluding her message, Maryam Nawaz Sharif urged citizens not to let down their guard on the final day of Basant. She appealed for continued caution and responsibility, stressing that the success of the festival lay not only in celebration, but in safeguarding lives and public property.

The 2026 Basant Festival, marked by record-breaking transport usage, massive visitor inflow, and an absence of major incidents, has been widely viewed as a milestone in Lahore’s cultural revival — one that balances tradition with safety, governance, and civic responsibility.