Avinash Azad
Making his words a reality, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah has ordered the restoration of the century-old Darbar Move tradition between the twin capital cities of Jammu and Srinagar — a practice that has long symbolized the administrative unity of the erstwhile State of Jammu and Kashmir.
The Darbar Move, introduced by Maharaja Gulab Singh in 1872 to ensure equitable governance and administrative accessibility across both major regions, was halted following the abrogation of Articles 370 and 35A in August 2019, when Jammu and Kashmir was bifurcated into two Union Territories.
he Jammu and Kashmir government will resume the Darbar Move from October 31, marking the return of the historic tradition that had been scrapped by the Lieutenant Governor’s administration in 2021 on grounds of high expenditure and logistical inconvenience.
The decision has received widespread appreciation, particularly from Jammu’s business community, which had suffered significant economic setbacks after the suspension of the Darbar Move.
“Jammu has, of course, suffered losses due to certain administrative decisions, as well as the April 2025 Pehgam attack on tourists and the subsequent cross-border tensions during Operation Sindoor in May,” said C.P. Gupta, a prominent businessman who owns hostels in Jammu, Katra, and an upcoming project in Srinagar.
He added that the revival of the Darbar Move would inject much-needed economic activity into Jammu’s business sector, which has witnessed a downturn in recent years. “The government’s decision is a welcome step and will benefit everyone. In the recent floods caused by heavy rains, business establishments in ammu region suffered heavy losses. The administration should also extend support to those who have incurred damages to commercial and private properties,” Gupta said.
The Darbar Move has historically represented more than an administrative ritual — it has served as a cultural and economic bridge between the regions of Jammu and Kashmir. With the restoration of the tradition, the Omar Abdullah-led government appears to be signaling a return to balanced regional governance and economic revitalization, particularly for Jammu, which bore the brunt of the 2021 decision to discontinue the practice.
