If the urban development ministry has its way, Lucknow, Patna and Bhopal could soon have a monorail network from Germany or metro rail systems from Japan. The ministry proposes to help state governments attract foreign companies and build capital-intensive public transport systems in cities facing severe traffic congestion and deteriorating air quality. Under the new guidelines to be framed by the ministry, foreign companies will be able to invest in public transport systems in cities facing shortage of funds. Such cities will get much-needed foreign capital and sophisticated foreign technology from international companies.