Jammu Civil Secretariat reopens as Durbar Move resumes
Chief Minister Omar Abdullah took the salute as government offices shifted from Srinagar to the winter capital on Monday.
The Jammu and Kashmir administration resumed operations from Jammu on Monday as the Civil Secretariat and other government offices reopened. According to the Kashmir Observer, the reopening is part of the 154-year-old biannual Durbar Move practice.
Chief Minister Omar Abdullah arrived at the Civil Secretariat, the seat of the Union Territory government, where he received a ceremonial guard of honour. Abdullah took the salute as offices began functioning two days after they closed in the summer capital, Srinagar.
The Chief Minister visited several offices at the Secretariat and spoke with officials. Ahead of the reopening, the Civil Secretariat, government buildings, and employee residential accommodations underwent renovation and a facelift.
Security has been increased in Jammu, with police and paramilitary forces stationed in key areas, including around the Secretariat and vital installations. Officials said security was also stepped up along important roads.
The Durbar Move was introduced by Dogra rulers in 1872 to help the administration avoid harsh winter weather in the Kashmir Valley. While the practice was discontinued in 2021 by the Lieutenant Governor-led administration, the Omar Abdullah-led government restored it in October 2025.