In order to address concerns about environmental degradation, thelabour trustee of the Chennai port 
 asked the port management to introduce a modern pollution-free coal handling system.  
 
 The Madras High Court banned coal operations in 2011 after the multi-crore coal conveyor system failed. The newly appointed labour trustee of the port GM Krishnamurthy informed that over 1,000 labourers of Chennai Port Trust would lose job if the Supreme Court asks the port to stop coal and iron ore handling operations. 
 
 Therefore, he asked the port management to introduce 
 pollution-free coal handling system. Krishnamurthy, one of the veteran trade union leaders of Chennai port, is the general secretary of Madras Port Trust Employees Union and the vice-president of All India Port and Dock Workers Federation. 
 
 According to the Major Port Trusts Act, 1963, Indian ports should have 21 trustees representing employees, stakeholders and experts to run the trade.