Chandigarh, Aug 21 (IANS): Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar has given in-principle approval for the construction of an elevated railway line in Kurukshetra city on the Kurukshetra-Narwana line to decongest the traffic in the city, it was announced on Tuesday.

The construction of the elevated track would be undertaken by the Haryana Rail Infrastructure Development Corporation at a cost of Rs 224.58 crore, a government statement said.

Out of the total project cost, Rs 100 crore will be shared by the Railway Ministry.

The elevated railway track would do away with five level crossings in Kurukshetra, reducing traffic jams.

An official spokesman said this would be the second elevated railway line in the state.

The Chief Minister recently launched the first elevated railway track project over the Rohtak-Gohana-Panipat section being constructed at a cost of Rs 315.71 crore.

The total length of the elevated railway line in Kurukshetra would be 5.18 km.

He said the project would be environment friendly and integrate the old city with the new city. With the construction of this project, five level crossings would be closed permanently. Apart from saving of cost on construction of road over bridges, it would enhance the safety of trains.