Chirayinkeezhu: The elephant shelters built by the Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB) at Sarkkara Devi Temple here spending lakhs of rupees have virtually been abandoned. The shelters came up near the Bhagavathy Palace some years ago, but today two tuskers here are chained at an open space behind the temple.

This area, near the Chattikuthalpura, has become an eyesore with garbage found strewn everywhere and spreading stink all around. The leftovers of the food provided to the elephants and their excreta have made the entire area a nauseating hell. The animals have to tolerate these conditions as well as the sun and rain.

The plan to set up the elephant shelters on the premises of Bhagavathy Palace was put forward after the police station that existed here was shifted to a new building near the Taluk Hospital. The place was ideal for the animal as it has dense greenery and the Sarkkara stream, a tributary of the Vamanapuram river, is nearby.

The work on the elephant shelters was completed on time, however, the new structures were never utilised. TDB officials themselves declared them unfit for the purpose they were intended to serve, pointing out that the pillar hook meant to tie elephants was not strong enough and facilities for managing the waste and providing drinking water to elephants were not set up.

Locals allege that the burning of elephant dung and other waste materials at night was causing serious health issues to them.