“12 crore population across 98 cities which is 35 percent of urban population will be covered under smart city mission. Making them (cities) smart will make them engines of economic growth besides giving decent life to the citizens,” Naidu said.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi had earlier launched the ambitious project with announcement of criteria and guidelines for 100 Smart Cities to be selected through city challenge competition on June 25.

Here are the highlights:

— Uttar Pradesh has bagged the maximum number of 13 nominations, Tamil Nadu has got 12 and Maharashtra 10. Madhya Pradesh will have seven smart cities and Gujarat and Karnataka will have six each.

— Of the 98 smart cities, 24 are business and industry centers, 18 are cultural and tourist centers and three are education and health care hub.

— Rs 3 lakh crore over the next 5-6 years to recast urban cities.

— Each smart city to get a Central assistance of Rs 100 crore per year for five years.

A picture from Information and Broadcasting Ministry | Source: Twitter

(With inputs from PTI)

Feature image source: Bloomberg