Kolkata, Aug 12 - Railways Minister Mamata Banerjee Wednesday named an Eastern Railway (ER) open theatre after Bengali theatre icon Sambhu Mitra and sanctioned Rs.35 million for the overall development of the amphitheatre as a cultural platform in Kolkata's twin district Howrah.

'Indian Railways have at least 1.4 million staff and we've schools, colleges for the children of our employees. But we need to motivate them in cultural entertainments also,' Banerjee said.

'A few days ago I paid a surprise visit to the ER's museum at the Howrah railway station and saw this open theatre. I decided to develop it as a platform for cultural interaction.

'I named this open theatre after noted theatre personality Sambhu Mitra and have also formed an advisory committee, chaired by Shaoli Mitra (Sambhu Mitra's daughter), to prepare the blueprint for this amphitheatre,' she added.

Banerjee said the railways would spend the amount for covering this open theatre and setting up an archive at the museum complex.

'This amphitheatre will help to nurture cultural activities in our state,' she said.