Srinagar, May 7: Security has been beefed up in entire summer capital, Srinagar, on the eve of the re-opening of ‘darbar move’ offices here tomorrow after functioning in Jammu for six months.
The Civil Secretariat and other related offices had closed for the bi-annual ‘darbar move’ in the winter capital on April 28.
Security forces have put up naka checking at several places in the city and outskirts, searching vehicles and frisking travelers entering civil lines to foil militant attempt to smuggle in arms and infiltrate into city.
Additional security forces and state police personnel were seen deployed on both sides of the Moulana Azad road, particularly from Gupkar road to Civil secretariat. Almost all VIPs are using this route to reach secretariat.
Similarly security around the hotels and other accommodations, where Darbar Move officials are staying, has been further tightened.
Meanwhile, from last over one-week the administration has undertaken a beautification drive of the Srinagar city and its outskirts. Footpaths, electric poles and road dividers were give a fresh look.
The ‘darbar move’ practice between the two state capitals — Srinagar for six summer months and Jammu for six winter months — was started in 1872 during Maharaja Ranbir Singh’s tenure.
Only one-way movement of traffic on Kashmir highway from Jammu towards Srinagar was permitted on April 29, 30, May 6 and 7 to ensure hassle-free movement of vehicles carrying Darbar move employees and important official records. Trucks and buses for shifting the records and transporting the officials from Jammu to Srinagar respectively were provided by the State Road transport Corporation (SRTC).
Thousands of government officers and employees have moved to Srinagar for the next six months and are set the start operations from the Civil Secretariat tomorrow.
The Civil Secretariat, which houses the offices of the Chief Minister, his cabinet colleagues and other top bureaucrats, is the nerve centre of official activities.
The administration has made elaborate arrangements for better traffic regulation and removing of various road bottle-necks in the Srinagar city. More than 50 vehicles will be pressed into service by SRTC to ferry the employees.
The security along the route to be taken by the vehicles carrying ‘darbar move’ employees has also been upgraded.
Barriers and road blocks had been set up outside as well as inside the Civil Secretariat to ensure no one barged into the complex, the officials said.
UNI
