Five sluice gates built at a cost of several crore taka over various canals in Ramganj, Lakshmipur, have remained nonfunctional for more than two decades. Constructed during the 2001–02 fiscal year under the Local Government Engineering Department (LGED) to control floods, improve irrigation, and reduce waterlogging, the structures are now obstructing natural water flow. As a result, local residents face irrigation shortages, water stagnation, reduced fish breeding, and rapid canal siltation.

Local farmers and residents said the gates became useless soon after installation due to lack of maintenance. Officials from the Bangladesh Agricultural Development Corporation (BADC), Water Development Board (WDB), and the Department of Agriculture each denied responsibility for the structures, leaving their management unclear. The canals have become clogged with water hyacinth and waste, producing foul odors and stagnant black water.

Ramganj Upazila Engineer Sajjad Mahmud Khan stated that only one sluice gate in Katakhali falls under his office and that repair proposals have been submitted. The Upazila Nirbahi Officer, Farashid Bin Enam, said the gates would either be removed or repaired depending on their potential benefit to residents.