Digboi Oil Refinery Town
Sub Place Details: Digboi Oil Refinery Town is a unique urban settlement that revolves around the world's oldest functioning oil refinery, commissioned in 1901. The town is a fascinating mix of industrial infrastructure and colonial-era charm, characterized by its distinctive architecture and well-p lanned layouts. Walking through the town, one can see the massive distillation towers and storage tanks that have been part of the landscape for over a century. The town was developed by the Assam Oil Company and later managed by Indian Oil, ensuring a high standard of maintenance and amenities for its residents. One of the most striking features of the town is the presence of "Bungalows on Stilts," a traditional architectural style designed to protect homes from the frequent rains and damp terrain of Upper Assam. The refinery area itself is a restricted zone, but the surrounding town offers plenty of sights, including heritage clubs, old churches, and the famous Digboi Golf Course. The streets are lined with tall trees and flowering shrubs, giving the industrial town a surprisingly green and refreshing appearance. It is a place where history is lived every day, as the refinery continues to produce petroleum products even today. The local markets are vibrant, offering traditional Assamese handlooms and local tea. The town's identity is deeply tied to the phrase "Dig, boy, dig," which is said to have been shouted by British engineers to their laborers during the first oil discovery. Visiting this town is like stepping back in time to the early days of the global oil boom, but with the modern comforts of a well-managed industrial hub.
General information
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Ideal Duration:
4 to 6 HoursPlace Type:
Industrial Heritage & TownEntry Fees:
No General Entry Fee: There is no fee to drive or walk through the public areas of the refinery town, making it a free heritage experience.
Refinery Tour Permission: Access inside the actual refinery plant is strictly restricted; special pe...No General Entry Fee: There is no fee to drive or walk through the public areas of the refinery town, making it a free heritage experience.
Refinery Tour Permission: Access inside the actual refinery plant is strictly restricted; special permission is needed from IOCL for official or educational visits.Timing:
Regular Timings: Public areas of the town are accessible 24/7, but commercial areas and heritage sites typically operate from 9:00 AM to 8:00 PM.
Ideal Visit Time: The best time for a walk is during the late afternoon from 4:00 PM to 6:00 PM...Regular Timings: Public areas of the town are accessible 24/7, but commercial areas and heritage sites typically operate from 9:00 AM to 8:00 PM.
Ideal Visit Time: The best time for a walk is during the late afternoon from 4:00 PM to 6:00 PM when the town is lively and the weather is cool.Special Events:
Dehing Patkai Festival: Held every January, this festival celebrates the region's culture, tea, and industry with fairs and traditional music performances.
Independence Day: Celebrated with great fervor in the town's main stadium, featuring ...Dehing Patkai Festival: Held every January, this festival celebrates the region's culture, tea, and industry with fairs and traditional music performances.
Independence Day: Celebrated with great fervor in the town's main stadium, featuring parades and cultural displays by school children and refinery staff.Best Photo Spots:
Refinery Gates: The main entrance of the Assam Oil Division with its historic signage is a classic spot for a commemorative travel photograph.
Tea Garden Borders: The points where the town roads meet the sprawling tea estates provide a perfe...Refinery Gates: The main entrance of the Assam Oil Division with its historic signage is a classic spot for a commemorative travel photograph.
Tea Garden Borders: The points where the town roads meet the sprawling tea estates provide a perfect contrast of industry and nature for photos.
Ridge Point: The highest point in town, offering a sweeping view of the industrial landscape against the backdrop of the Arunachal hills.Photo Gallery
Things To Do
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Heritage Walk: Take a guided walk through the residential areas to admire the unique 'bungalows on stilts' and their beautifully manicured gardens.
Market Exploration: Visit the local Digboi market to buy authentic Assam tea and traditional 'Mekhela Chador' handwoven by local artisans.
Golfing: Visit the Digboi Golf Club, an 18-hole course set amidst rolling hills and tea gardens (entry usually requires special permission or membership).
Visit the Church: Explore the local colonial-era church, which features beautiful stained glass and a peaceful atmosphere for quiet reflection.
Tea Garden Drive: Drive through the lush green tea estates that wrap around the refinery town, offering stunning views of the emerald landscapes.
Information
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Why Famous:
Oldest Operational Refinery: Famous globally for housing the world's oldest petroleum refinery that still processes crude oil since its inception in 1901.
Colonial Heritage: Renowned for its well-preserved British-era social clubs and the 18...Oldest Operational Refinery: Famous globally for housing the world's oldest petroleum refinery that still processes crude oil since its inception in 1901.
Colonial Heritage: Renowned for its well-preserved British-era social clubs and the 18-hole golf course, which is one of the oldest in India. -
Architecture:
Sub Place Architecture:
Colonial Bungalow Style: The town is famous for its Victorian-style wooden bungalows built on high concrete pillars (stilts) to manage the heavy rainfall of the region.
Dimension and Layou...Sub Place Architecture:
Colonial Bungalow Style: The town is famous for its Victorian-style wooden bungalows built on high concrete pillars (stilts) to manage the heavy rainfall of the region.
Dimension and Layout: The refinery town covers approximately 5 square miles, featuring a grid-like street layout with dedicated residential, commercial, and industrial zones. -
How To Reach:
By Air: Fly to Dibrugarh and take a taxi; the drive takes you through scenic National Highways lined with some of the world's best tea gardens.
By Train: The Digboi Railway Station is centrally located; most locals use shared taxis from th... -
Near Tourist Places:
1. Centenary Museum (2 KMS), 2. War Cemetery (3 KMS), 3. Golf Course (2 KMS), 4. Margherita (14 KMS), 5. Ledo (26 KMS), 6. Tilinga Mandir (30 KMS), 7. Tinsukia (35 KMS), 8. Jagun (50 KMS), 9. Namdapha NP (100 KMS), 10. Dibrugarh (80 KMS).
Tourism Tips
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Health & Safety: Follow all traffic rules within the town; be aware that certain areas near the refinery are high-security zones with no photography.
Packing: Carry comfortable footwear for walking and a light sweater for the evenings; mos...
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Information about New and Updated Locations(400+) of Assam Has Been Added :-
Card subtitle
Hoollongapar Gibbon SanctuaryGuwahati ZooMadan Kamdev RuinsNorthbrook GateSankardev KalakshetraUgro Tara TempleDehing Patkai National ParkDibru Saikhowa National Park DoomdoomaHistoric Lekhapani Station TombLedoMargheritaMargherita Sunset PointSadiya Shiv Dham TinsukiaThe Stilwell Road Athkheliya NamgharHoollongapar Gibbon SanctuaryMore PlacesNote:-
Information provided here in good Faith and for reference only.
All information and pictures will be updated soon, please keep visiting.
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