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All the mandatory site-related clearances have been obtained for the Kodangulam atomic power project in Tamil Nadu, an Indo-Russian joint venture, for the construction of two units of 1,000 mw each.

The entire site investigation, including hydrological surveys, and microseismic studies, have been completed and land for the site and township acquired, a Nuclear Power Corporation press release said.

It said atomic power plants in the country have reported excellent performance in 1996-97, earning a net profit of Rs 2.52 billion, an increase of 67 per cent compared to the previous year.

The atomic power stations under the Nuclear Power Corporation had generated 9071 million units during the year, which was 13 per cent more than the output of the previous year.

''The capacity factor at 67 per cent, a new high, is of world standard,'' the release said.

The gross nuclear power generation from all plants since their commercial operation has crossed 110 billion units.

During the period, core shroud inspection, a highly specialised task, was completed successfully for both the units of the Tarapur Atomic Power Station.

The release said the first unit of the Rajasthan Atomic Power Station, which had been shut down in February 1994 after a leak of heavy water, was rehabilitated and connected to the grid on March 31, 1997. The leak was plugged with cast in situ metal sealing with remotely controlled tools, manipulators, closed circuit TV camera, etc.

En masse replacement of coolant channels of the Rajasthan Atomic Power Station II, which was shut down in August 1994, has also been achieved during the year.

The NPC has Tarapur, Madras, Narora, Kakrapur and Rajasthan stations under production.