SRINAGAR: The annual Darbar Move convoy, carrying government employees, official records, files and other Secretariat material from Srinagar to Jammu, crossed Ramban district along the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway (NH-44) on Sunday morning amid elaborate security and traffic management arrangements.
The seasonal relocation of the Jammu and Kashmir Civil Secretariat and other government offices to the winter capital began on Saturday, with authorities imposing a two-day restriction on the movement of heavy and medium goods vehicles along NH-44 to facilitate the smooth passage of the convoy.
The restrictions remain in force on Sunday, while the offices shifting to Jammu are scheduled to resume functioning on November 2.
Security and traffic arrangements have been put in place along the strategically important highway to ensure the safe and uninterrupted movement of government employees and official material.
As part of the relocation exercise, the Government has fixed a uniform Special Move Travel Allowance of Rs 25,000 for each eligible employee shifting to Jammu. Employees who fail to relocate within the prescribed period will not be entitled to the allowance.
The Darbar Move is a nearly 150-year-old administrative tradition introduced in 1872 by the Dogra rulers. Under the arrangement, government offices, including the Civil Secretariat, alternate between Srinagar, the summer capital, and Jammu, the winter capital, in accordance with the seasons.
The practice was discontinued in June 2021 by the Lieutenant Governor’s administration as part of the transition towards a paperless e-office system. The Government had cited estimated annual savings of around Rs 200 crore as a result of ending the physical movement of offices and records.
Following a multi-year suspension, the traditional arrangement has been revived, with 91 government offices and establishments scheduled to shift to Jammu for the winter 2026-27 session.
