Examiner Bureau | Jammu:
The corridors of power are set to move southwards once again as the bi-annual Darbar Move from Srinagar to Jammu begins on Saturday, marking the return of a nearly 150-year-old administrative tradition that was discontinued in 2021 and has now been revived after a gap of several years.
With the relocation of government offices and employees to the winter capital, authorities have imposed a two-day restriction on the movement of heavy and medium goods vehicles along the Srinagar-Jammu National Highway (NH-44) on October 31 and November 1. Offices shifting to Jammu are scheduled to resume operations from November 2.
The traffic restrictions have been put in place to ensure the smooth movement of government employees, official records and other logistical arrangements associated with the annual administrative transition.
According to the traffic advisory, heavy and medium goods vehicles will not be allowed to travel from Jakheni in Udhampur towards Srinagar on either of the two days. Restrictions will also apply after 2 am on October 31 and November 1 to goods carriers moving from Jakheni towards Ramban, Banihal and Srinagar, as well as vehicles travelling from Qazigund towards Banihal, Ramban and Udhampur.
However, heavy motor vehicles travelling downhill from Qazigund towards Jammu will be permitted to move under regulated conditions. Transporters dealing in fresh and perishable commodities and livestock have been advised to plan their journeys accordingly to avoid inconvenience.
91 offices to shift to winter capital
Under the Darbar Move arrangements for the winter 2026-27 session, a total of 91 government offices and establishments are scheduled to relocate to Jammu. These have been divided into two categories: departments shifting in full and those operating from the winter capital under a limited-staff camp arrangement.
All departments of the Civil Secretariat, including the Chief Minister’s Secretariat, will relocate completely. The Personal Staff of the Advisor to the Chief Minister, Department of Civil Aviation, Civil Secretariat Dispensary, security staff and treasury are also among the establishments shifting in full.
Several key administrative offices will move to Jammu, including the Financial Commissioner, Revenue; Principal Chief Conservator of Forests; Chief Electoral Officer; Director, Information; Director General, Accounts and Treasuries; Transport Commissioner; Chief Executive Officer, J&K e-Governance Agency; Mission Director, ICDS; Controller, Drug and Food Control Organisation; Commissioner, Food and Drug Administration; and J&K Employees State Insurance Society, among others.
A number of departments and institutions will function from Jammu under the camp arrangement. These include the State Taxes Department, Excise Department, Directorate of Economics and Statistics, Directorate of Audit and Inspection, AYUSH Directorate, Chief Architect’s office, Registrar of Cooperatives and J&K Services Selection Board.
The J&K Pollution Control Committee, public sector undertakings, J&K Housing Board, Wildlife Department, Relief and Rehabilitation Commissioner (Migrants), Fisheries Department, National Health Mission, Mission Youth, Directorate of Colleges and SCERT are also part of the camp category.
As per the prescribed arrangements, departments operating under the camp system will shift 33 per cent of their sanctioned staff strength or 10 employees, whichever is lower, unless specific provisions have been made otherwise.
Rs 25,000 travel allowance for eligible employees
To facilitate the relocation, the Government has fixed a uniform Special Move Travel Allowance of Rs 25,000 for every eligible employee shifting to Jammu. Employees who fail to move within the prescribed period will not be entitled to the allowance.
The arrangements are aimed at ensuring an orderly transition of offices and staff while maintaining the functioning of essential administrative departments during the winter session.
A tradition revived after five years
The Darbar Move is a distinctive feature of Jammu and Kashmir’s administrative history. Introduced in 1872 by the Dogra rulers, the practice involved the shifting of government offices between Srinagar, the summer capital, and Jammu, the winter capital, in accordance with the changing seasons.
For generations, the annual movement became an integral part of the region’s administrative and political life, bringing government employees, official records and institutional activity to Jammu during the winter months and back to Srinagar in summer.
The tradition was discontinued in June 2021 by the Lieutenant Governor’s administration as part of the transition to a paperless e-office system. The Government had cited estimated annual savings of around Rs 200 crore as one of the key reasons for ending the practice.
Its revival marks a significant administrative shift, restoring the seasonal movement of government offices after a multi-year suspension. With 91 offices and establishments scheduled to move to Jammu, the winter capital is once again preparing to host the seat of administration, reviving a practice deeply woven into Jammu and Kashmir’s institutional history.
