The Environment Ministry will stiffen penalties against violators of environmental regulations in the face of black cloud.

The black cloud, the inky haze of pollution, has been attributed to farmers burning rice straw after their harvest.

The ministry will launch intensive against drivers of cars with excessive emissions as well as factories of bricks and cement, Environment Minister Khaled Fahmi told MENA on Wednesday.

He added that the ministry will not condone coal-fired power factories.

He expounded that no factories will be allowed to depend on coal energy in the coming period except cement factories and power stations abiding by environment protection regulations.

He added that coal-firing power stations will be built within four years outside Cairo.