Final Darbar Move convoy leaves Jammu for Srinagar

Formal process of bi-annual “Darbar Move” completed in the winter capital with the second and final leg of convoy movement from Jammu to its final destination Srinagar on Sunday, May 3, 2026.

Following the move of Darbar to the summer capital, all the offices will reopen at Srinagar tomorrow, May 4, 2026.

The move process began after the offices observing five days a week closed at Jammu on April 30, 2026 after the office hours while all the offices observing six days a week closed on Saturday (May 2, 2026) for the next six months. On the second leg of convoy movement, special JKSRTC buses moved from Jammu to the summer capital carrying official records, essential files with the limited staff.

For the biannual move, a practice which was formally resumed last year with winter move to Jammu after a hiatus of four years, the government had made elaborate arrangements, including transportation and security for the transition in two phases i.e., May 1 and 3, 2026.

The offices, as per the GAD direction, moving in camp carried only 33 percent of the staff strength in that particular office or 10 officials, whichever was minimum or otherwise, as specifically indicated.

The government had announced a special move Travel Allowance for the “Move employees” at the uniform rate of Rs 25,000, who moved before or within the prescribed date. The government had also announced advance pay authorised in favour of such non-gazetted moving employees who applied for the same, which would be recoverable in instalments as per rules.

Salary of the month of April, 2026, in respect of all the employees working in move offices, was drawn on April 20, 2026.

The government had made the provision for three days special casual leave in favour of Jammu based move employees, who wished to avail the same.

Following Darbar Move to Srinagar, the General Administration Department will establish a summer secretariat at Civil Secretariat, Jammu.

To facilitate smooth movement of the convoy- one crane, two empty buses and mobile workshops accompanied it. For security, J&K Police escorted the convoy carrying employees all along the route up to their respective destinations.

The move convoy, as per official instructions, was given precedence in crossing the Dr Syama Prasad Mookerjee tunnel and Banihal Qazigund tunnel.

Security was bolstered all along Srinagar Jammu National Highway. To ensure the highest level of security, the security agencies had tactically deployed significant manpower, dog squads and QRTs as force multipliers all along the route. By evening, the convoy reached Srinagar.

The Health and Medical Education Department made special arrangements for medical aid facilities at JhajjarKotli, Udhampur, Chenani, Ramban, Ramsu, Banihal and Qazigund for the employees who were part of the convoy.