Former Union minister and Trinamool Congress leader Saugata Roy today blamed the Railways and the local administration for the death of 36 Kumbh pilgrims in the Allahabad station stampede.

Roy alleged, the Railways ran 75 trains as against 150 trains it earlier announced to ply on the occasion of "Mouni Amabasya", causing heavy rush of pilgrims at the station.

The TMC leader also alleged that the police lathicharged the pilgrims in the station, which "aggravated the situation" and resulted in the deaths and injuries.

"Both the Railways and the local administration were to blame for inept handling of the situation leading to the tragedy," Roy told a TV channel.