Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday inaugurated and laid foundation stones of eight projects worth around Rs 7,600 crore in Chhattisgarh capital Raipur.

During an event held at the Science College ground here, PM Modi also virtually flagged off a new train between Antagarh in Kanker district of the state and Raipur.

He kickstarted the distribution of cards of the Centre's Ayushman Bharat scheme to beneficiaries in the state. 

Assembly elections in Chhattisgarh are due by the end of this year. 

Speaking on the occasion, PM Modi said these new projects will open up ample employment opportunities for the people of the state and ease their lives. 

The projects will start a new journey of facilities and development in tribal-dominated areas, he said. 

"In the last 9 years, the Centre sanctioned National Highway projects of 3,500 km length in Chhattisgarh, of which projects of 3,000 km length have been completed," he said. 

"We have been developing infrastructure in the areas which have been lagging in the race of development," the prime minister added. -- PTI