Update: Darbar Move Order Issued: Srinagar Offices Close October 30-31, Jammu Reopens November 2

The story so far: JammuBeat's earlier explainer, Darbar Move 2026-27: Convoy Dates, Buses and What Has Not Been Announced Yet, set out what was expected. The formal order has now been issued.

What's new

Government Order No. 1664-JK(GAD) of 2026, issued by the General Administration Department on October 19, sets the winter move from Srinagar to Jammu:

• Srinagar offices on a five-day week close after office hours on October 30; six-day-week offices close on October 31.
• Offices reopen in Jammu on November 2.
• Offices listed in Annexure A move in full; those in Annexure B work in "camp" mode, with 33% of staff or 10 officials, whichever is less, unless otherwise specified.

Money and travel

• A Special Move Travelling Allowance of ₹25,000 per employee, uniform for all. It is not payable to employees who fail to move before or within the prescribed date.
• JKRTC buses run on October 31 and November 1; advance booking opens October 27 at the Civil Secretariat and JKRTC's main counters.
• Each convoy gets a crane, two empty buses and mobile workshop facilities. J&K Police escort the convoys, which get precedence at the Banihal-Qazigund Tunnel and the Dr Syama Prasad Mookerjee Tunnel.
• Medical aid will be set up at Qazigund, Banihal, Ramsu, Ramban, Chenani, Udhampur and Jhajjar Kotli.

What it means in Jammu

The Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs Department will set up ration counters near employee residential colonies in Jammu. The Civil Secretariat and HoDs inside it will work 9:30 am to 5:30 pm; six-day-week HoDs outside it will work 10 am to 4:30 pm. The Estates Department will provide accommodation as in past years, and employees may not occupy government, municipal or other residential accommodation without an allotment order.

The order does not say how many employees are expected to move. If you travel on the Jammu-Srinagar highway on October 31 or November 1, expect convoy movement.

Source: Greater Kashmir, October 20, 2026.