JAMMU/SRINAGAR, October 31: Preparations are in full swing in Jammu ahead of the biannual Darbar Move, as government employees have started shifting from Srinagar to the winter capital. The government is scheduled to resume its functioning in Jammu from November 2 for the next six months.
Ahead of the administration’s return, Jammu is undergoing an extensive facelift, with beautification drives, road macadamisation, painting and infrastructure improvement works nearing completion, officials said.
To ensure the smooth movement of government employees’ convoys from Srinagar to Jammu, the Traffic Department has imposed restrictions on goods carriers along the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway (NH-44) for October 31 and November 1.
The Jammu and Kashmir Government has ordered the biannual Darbar Move for the winter season 2026-27, under which the offices of the Chief Minister, ministers and various government departments will resume operations in Jammu on November 2 after six months of functioning in Srinagar.
Offices following a five-day workweek closed in Srinagar on October 30, while departments observing a six-day schedule will close after office hours on October 31.
Extensive Preparations In Jammu
Officials said the administration has accelerated preparations across Jammu to ensure a smooth transition. Renovation and improvement works are being carried out both inside and outside the Civil Secretariat, while arrangements are being finalised for residential accommodation for employees arriving from Srinagar.
Necessary repairs and maintenance of government buildings, offices and residential quarters are also underway to ensure that employees do not face inconvenience.
Several roads and bridges damaged during the monsoon rains are being repaired and restored through macadamisation. Footpaths are being cleaned, debris removed, and road dividers and roadside structures painted as part of the beautification drive.
Security arrangements have also been strengthened across the city, particularly around the Civil Secretariat, Raj Bhawan and residential areas earmarked for government employees.
Inspector General of Police, Jammu Zone, Tejinder Singh, chaired a high-level security review meeting on October 24 to finalise security and coordination arrangements for the Darbar Move.
Police and paramilitary deployment has been increased across Jammu, while additional security measures have been put in place along important routes, including the 250-km Jammu-Srinagar National Highway.
Two-Day Traffic Restrictions On NH-44
The Traffic Department has announced restrictions on goods carrier movement along NH-44 on October 31 and November 1 to facilitate the hassle-free movement of Darbar Move convoys.
According to the traffic advisory:
No goods carriers will be allowed to move from Jakheni in Udhampur towards Srinagar on October 31 and November 1.
Goods carriers will not be permitted to proceed from Jakheni towards Ramban, Banihal and Srinagar, or from Qazigund towards Banihal, Ramban and Udhampur after 2 AM on October 31 and November 1.
Heavy motor vehicles travelling from Qazigund towards Jammu will be allowed in a regulated manner.
The Traffic Department has advised transporters carrying fresh and perishable goods, as well as livestock, to plan their movement and load their vehicles accordingly in view of the restrictions.
Darbar Move: A Historical Practice
Earlier, government employees were given around a week’s holiday to shift offices, files and other official material during the Darbar Move. However, with the transition to the e-governance system and digital files, physical transportation of official records is no longer required, allowing offices to reopen in Jammu on November 2.
The Darbar Move tradition was started by Maharaja Gulab Singh in 1872 to help the administration escape extreme weather conditions in Jammu and Kashmir by shifting between the two regions according to the seasons.
The practice continued after Independence, with the government functioning in Jammu during the winter months and Srinagar during the summer.
However, the tradition was discontinued in 2021 during the Lieutenant Governor’s administration, with the government citing the introduction of e-office facilities and annual savings of approximately Rs 200 crore.
The decision faced criticism, particularly from sections of the Jammu business community, which considered the Darbar Move an important economic and emotional link between the two regions.
The Omar Abdullah-led National Conference Government restored the practice in October 2025, fulfilling an election promise.
With the winter session of administration set to begin, Jammu is now being readied to host the government and thousands of employees for the next six months.
