Govt releases list of smart cities; 13 from UP, 12 from Tamil Nadu, 10 from Maharashtra, 7 from MP, and 3 each from Bihar and Andhra Pradesh

New Delhi: The government on Thursday released a list of 98 cities, including 24 state capitals, which are to be developed as smart cities.

Maximum number of to-be-developed smart cities are in UP, followed by Tamil Nadu and Maharashtra.

13 cities are from UP, 12 from Tamil Nadu, 10 from Maharashtra, 7 from MP, and 3 each from Bihar and Andhra Pradesh are included in smart cities list.

In the first year, the government would select 24 cities that would be developed into smart cities.

The list of smart cities was unveiled by Union minister Venkaiah Naidu.

Speaking on the occasion, Venkaiah Naidu said that the “prime motive behind the smart city project is to enhance urban life.”

“The smart city mission is very practical and realistic. We need public’s participation,” Naidu said.

“Smart cities need smart people, we need people’s co-operation to move forward in our mission,” Venkaiah Naidu added.

The government also released a list containing features of a smart city.