Kolkata Mar 25 PTI Indias largest private port operator Adani Ports and SEZ APSEZ Ltd has emerged as the highest bidder for the West Bengal governments greenfield deep-sea port project at Tajpur in a neck-to-neck fight with JSW Group a source said on FridayAPSEZ and Sajjan Jindal-led JSW Group were the only two entities that took part in the financial bid round though there were more port and logistics majors who had expressed initial interest in the estimated Rs 7000-crore project in Purba Medinipur districtAPSEZ is the highest bidder offering a share of 025 per cent of gross revenue It was marginally higher than the second bidder who offered 023 per cent a senior government official said without wanting to be namedThe revenue share will increase to 4 per cent but that will be at a much later date of the concession period which is 99 years he saidThe price bid for the tender floated by the West Bengal Industrial Development Corporation WBIDC was opened on Wednesday in the presence of the bidders -- APSEZ and JSW Infrastructure Ltd the official saidA note has been prepared after APSEZ emerged as the highest bidder and it will be placed before the state cabinet for final approval he saidAs per an analyst 025 per cent revenue share is very low and will lead to an adverse impact on the existing Kolkata PortWest Bengal government expects that the first phase of the project will be completed in three-four years and it will be operational the official saidRoad access to the site is the biggest challenge while railway connectivity is also crucial he saidFor a 15-16 metre draft an 18-km channel has to be built into the sea For Panamax size vessels 12 meters draft is necessaryAPSEZ will get 125 acres of seafront land for the development of the port and another 1000 acres situated 4 km away for port-linked industrial developmentAdani Group did not bid for the privatisation of Kolkata Ports Kiddherpore dock but is the highest bidder for modernisation of Berth 2 of Haldia dockIn less than two decades APSEZ has built acquired and developed a portfolio of ports infrastructure and services across India Its 13 ports and terminals represent 24 per cent of the countrys port capacityAdani Group chairman Gautam Adani met Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee in December last year to discuss investment possibilities in the state In February his son Karan also visited the state and met BanerjeeGroup company Adani Wilmar recently acquired a rice mill in Burdwan The group also has acquired gas distribution licences in certain parts of West Bengal in partnership with Indian Oil Corporation IOC PTI BSM SOM SOM