The Centre today declared the names of 98 cities for its ambitious smart cities project. The aspirants cities were selected by the States and Union Territories on the parametres set by the Centre.<br/><br/>Announcing the list in New Delhi, Union Urban Development Minister, M Venkaiah Naidu said, it include 13 cities from Uttar Pradesh,12 from Tamil Nadu, 10 from Maharashtra, 7 from Madhya Pradesh, 3 each from Bihar and Andhra Pradesh. <br/><br/>All other states have also got one or two cities for the purpose, except Jammu and Kashmir.<br/><br/>The State has sought more time for selecting cities for the project, the minister said. <br/><br/>He also said, Centre will release Rs. two crore each for the cities for the preparation of the smart city plan in the next few days.<br/><br/>The Minister said, prime motive is to enhance urban life, mission is very practical and realistic.<br/><br/>Mr Naidu said state and union territories and urban local bodies have an important role to play in the implementation of Smart City Mission.<br/><br/>Mr Naidu said 13 crore population across 98 cities which constitute 35 per cent of urban population will be covered under the mission.<br/><br/>He said central government proposes to give financial support to the Mission to the extent of Rs. 48,000 crores over next five years.<br/><br/>Of this amount, two hundred crore rupees will be released during the first year.