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North Western Railway has put in special arrangements for Diwali and Chhath Puja, with 44 pairs of special trains running to and from high-demand stations like Mumbai, Pune, Howrah, and nearby regions in Bihar. Captain Shashi Kiran, Chief Public Relations Officer (CPRO) of North Western Railway, told that extra coaches, volunteers, and Railway Protection Force (RPF) staff have been deployed at stations to manage passenger rush and ensure smooth travel. "For Diwali and Chhath festivals, North Western Railways organised special arrangements. Currently, 44 pairs of special trains are operating from stations with high demand, such as Mumbai, Pune, Howrah, and nearby regions in Bihar... We are assessing the need for more special trains. With approval, we can operate additional trains. Additionally, we have added 174 coaches to nearly 60 regular trains, which are currently running... We are arranging holding areas in major stations, such as Jaipur, to reduce platform crowding," he said. He also highlighted the additional measures to manage crowds and facilitate smooth travel. "We have deployed volunteers from NGOs, scouts, guides, and the Railway Protection Force, and also assigned train conductors to specific duties... We advise people to arrive at the station as per schedule; early arrivals should wait in the holding area. Entry is limited to the station's incoming and outgoing points. Platform ticket sales are temporarily halted, but may be issued in special cases. We believe these measures will control the rush and encourage travel," the CPRO added. Earlier in the day, Central Railway announced that it will operate 1,702 special trains for the Diwali and Chhath Puja festivals in an effort to help passengers travel to their destinations and join their families on the festival. 124682603 CPRO, Central Railway, Swapnil Nila told ANI on Saturday, "The Central Railway is preparing for the upcoming Chhath and Diwali festivals by operating 1,702 special trains to help passengers travel to their destinations to celebrate with their families... These trains will start from stations such as Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus, Lokmanya Tilak Terminus, Pune, Kolhapur, and Nagpur... Over 800 of these trains will serve routes to Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, West Bengal, and the northeastern states... Trains will connect various other locations within the country." CPRO added that Extra counters have been set up at major stations for the convenience and safety of the passengers. He further added, "To ensure passenger comfort and safety, holding areas with a capacity of over 3,000 passengers each have been established at major stations, equipped with amenities such as food, water, toilets, and fans... Mobile UTS services are available for ticket booking, and additional ticket counters have been opened to reduce waiting time..." On Saturday, the Indian Railways has decided to take strict action against social media handles sharing'misleading' videos related to railway operations. During this festive season, some social media handles have been circulating old or misleading videos, creating confusion among passengers, said the railways in a statement. The railway administration stated that over 20 such social media handles have been identified, and the process of filing FIRs has been initiated. A 24x7 social media monitoring mechanism has been put in place to keep a close watch on such antisocial elements. The railway has appealed to all social media users to refrain from sharing videos of crowds or other incidents at stations without verifying the facts. Passengers are urged to rely only on official Railway notifications and verified social media handles of the Ministry of Railways, i.e., @RailMinIndia on X, Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube for authentic information.

Spot gold in the London market breached $4,350 an ounce this week, marking a historic high. In India, prices have soared past ₹1,31,000 per 10 grams, in MCX, just ahead of the festive season. Since the beginning of August 2025, domestic gold prices have surged over 32%, while global prices have gained more than 30%. This relentless rally has left many questions: What’s fueling this surge, and is a correction on the horizon?Why Are Global and Domestic Prices Rising Without Correction?The current rally in gold is driven by a perfect storm of macroeconomic and geopolitical factors. Investors are flocking to gold as a safe haven, amid rising global uncertainty. The lack of any meaningful correction is largely due to:Persistent geopolitical tensions Weakening of the US dollarStrong retail and institutional demandHigh central bank purchasesSupply constraintsIn India, the festive and wedding season has further amplified demand, pushing prices higher despite the global rally.Why Has the Israel-Hamas Ceasefire Had No Impact?Despite a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, gold prices remain elevated. This is because there are expectations that the ceasefire may be fragile and temporary, with risks of renewed conflict. Broader tensions in the Middle East, including Iran’s involvement and regional instability, continue to fuel risk aversion. Investors are pricing in long-term geopolitical uncertainty, not just short-term peace deals.Thus, gold continues to act as a hedge against geopolitical shocks, even when temporary resolutions emerge.Why Are People So Resilient on Gold?Gold’s resilience stems from its historical role as a store of value. In uncertain times, investors prefer assets that could preserve wealth during inflation or currency depreciation. Also, they rely on assets that are globally recognized and liquid and offer psychological comfort in volatile markets. In India, cultural affinity and seasonal buying further strengthen gold’s appeal. Central banks are also increasing gold purchases, diversifying away from dollar-denominated assets due to heightened risk aversion amid growing concerns over U.S. governance and monetary policy direction.Weak US Dollar and US Treasury Shutdown The US dollar index has weakened significantly in recent months due to anticipation of rate cuts by the US Federal Reserve, slowing US economic growth, and rising fiscal deficits and debt concerns. The ongoing U.S. Treasury shutdown has also intensified global economic uncertainty, prompting investors to seek refuge in safe-haven assets like gold.A weaker dollar makes gold more attractive to international buyers, thereby boosting demand and prices. Historically, gold and the dollar share an inverse relationship, and this trend is playing out strongly in 2025.Impact of New Tariffs on ChinaThe recent imposition of new tariffs on Chinese goods by the US has rattled global trade. This has several implications for gold. This could increase trade tensions, prompting investors to seek safe assets. It may also lead to slower global growth, further boosting the appeal of gold. China, a major gold consumer and importer, may diversify reserves further into gold to hedge against trade-related risks. Thus, the trade war narrative is adding another layer of support to gold’s bullish momentum.Are Fundamentals Still Positive for Gold?Yes, the fundamentals remain strongly supportive. Geopolitical instability in the Middle East and Eastern Europe, trade concerns with China, weakening dollar and potential Fed rate cuts and Investor shift toward safe assets amid volatile equity markets collectively create a favorable environment for gold, both as a hedge and an investment.Is a Price Correction Possible? What Could Trigger It?While the rally seems unstoppable, a correction is always possible. Potential triggers include:Stabilization in geopolitical tensions.Strengthening of the US dollar, possibly due to unexpected Fed policy shifts.Profit booking by investors after such a steep rise.Improved global economic outlook, reducing the need for safe-haven assets.Government interventions, such as import restrictions or higher taxes on gold.If any of these factors materialize, gold could see a short-term pullback, though the long-term outlook remains constructive.Gold’s meteoric rise in 2025 is a reflection of global anxiety, economic fragility, and investor caution. While the fundamentals remain supportive, the possibility of a correction cannot be ruled out. For now, gold continues to glitter—both as a cultural symbol and a financial fortress.(The author of ther article, Hareesh V is Head of Commodity Research, Geojit Investments.)