The Indian railways is planning is raise about Rs. 1,00,000 crore in the next five months to fund introduction of new coaches, up-gradation of the signal systems and for eliminating level crossings, according to railway minister Dinesh Trivedi.

A high level committee headed by Dr Anil Kakodkar, which was formed in September previous year, has recommended introducing new coaches, improving signals and eliminating signal crossings to improve the safety.

The committee was formed to recommend ways to improve safety after two major accidents last year. The committee presented the report to the government on Friday.

Indian railways is planning to raise Rs 5,000 crore by imposing safety cess on passengers, Rs 5,000 crore from grant from central government and Rs 5,000 crore through deferred dividend payment.

The recommendations of a levy to finance safety measures came before the upcoming Rail Budget. It is now known if the Railway minister will approve the recommendations for the levy, as it will increase passenger fare.

According to atomic Energy Commission chairman Anil Kakodkar, the safety review committee outlines grim financial condition and said that the inadequate infrastructure and resources of the India railways are affecting the safety of the passengers.