JAMMU: Convoys of government employees have begun leaving Srinagar as part of the biannual Darbar Move, with Jammu gearing up to host the Jammu and Kashmir government for the winter season 2026-27 from Monday, November 2.
The winter capital is undergoing an extensive makeover, with beautification drives, road macadamisation, painting and infrastructure improvement works nearing completion ahead of the government’s return, officials said.
Under the biannual administrative arrangement, government offices function in Jammu for six months during winter and shift to Srinagar for the summer. The offices of the Chief Minister, ministers and various government departments are scheduled to resume operations in Jammu on November 2 after six months in Srinagar.
To facilitate the smooth movement of Secretariat employees travelling from Srinagar to Jammu, restrictions on goods carriers have been imposed on the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway (NH-44) on Saturday and Sunday, officials said.
Offices following a five-day workweek closed in Srinagar on October 30, while departments observing a six-day schedule were scheduled to cease operations after office hours on October 31.
Preparations for the annual administrative shift have gathered pace across Jammu, with renovation and facelift works underway inside and outside the Civil Secretariat. The administration is also finalising residential accommodation for employees relocating from Srinagar.
Necessary repairs and maintenance of government buildings, offices and residential quarters are being undertaken to ensure that employees can resume their duties without inconvenience after arriving in the winter capital.
Several roads and bridges across the city, particularly those damaged during the monsoon rains, are being restored through macadamisation and repair work. Footpaths are being cleaned, accumulated debris removed, and road dividers and roadside structures painted as part of the beautification drive.
Security arrangements have also been strengthened across Jammu ahead of the government’s return. Inspector General of Police, Jammu Zone, Tejinder Singh, chaired a high-level security review meeting on October 24 to finalise security and coordination measures for the Darbar Move.
Adequate security arrangements have been put in place around the Civil Secretariat, Raj Bhawan and residential areas earmarked for government employees, officials said.
With administrative preparations, infrastructure upgrades and security measures being intensified, Jammu is being readied to accommodate the government machinery for the next six months.
