Srinagar gets facelift before 'Darbar Move'

Srinagar city, the summer capital of Jammu and Kashmir, is being given a facelift ahead of opening of 'Darbar Move' offices here as part of the century-old tradition.
Security and other arrangements have been put in place to ensure smooth opening of the Civil Secretariat, the seat of Jammu and Kashmir Government, here on Monday.
"All necessary arrangements have been put in place for the smooth functioning of Civil Secretariat - the seat of Jammu and Kashmir government - and other move offices which will reopen here on May 6 as per the age-old darbar move," officials said.
The Civil Secretariat, Raj Bhawan and other important offices shift between Srinagar and Jammu for six months each of summer and winter respectively as part of a pre-Independence practice of "Darbar Move".

The Civil Secretariat and other 'Darbar Move' offices closed in Jammu on April 26. It will function here till late October and then move to Jammu, the winter capital of the state, in the first week of November.
The roads around and leading to the civil secretariat are being renovated with labourers busy cleaning the pathways and painting the roadsides.

"We have spent around Rs 52 lakhs for the renovation and painting of roads. It is an old practice which happens annually," Chief Engineer Roads and Buildings Mushtaq Ahmad Lone told PTI.
Every year, the city gets a face-lift on the eve of reopening of civil secretariat and other move offices. Besides, the government offices and quarters have been renovated and the street lights restored.

The footpaths, especially in Lal Chowk and adjoining areas, have been cleared of encroachments.
In the wake of recent spurt in militant activities, authorities have also chalked out a plan to ensure security around vital installations including the civil secretariat and residential quarters of move employees.