Digboi

Digboi is a town in the Tinsukia district of Assam. Digboi is famous as the oil city of Assam. This town boasts of the first oil well in Asia. The first oil discovery at Digboi happened during the early 18th century. The world's oldest operating oil refinery is also located at Digboi. The first refinery was operational here in 1901.

For visitors travelling by air, the nearest airport at Dibrugarh is 65 km away. The nearest railhead at Tinsukia is 34 km from the town.

Digboi has always retained a British-influenced culture, years into independence. Clubgoing, golfing, swimming and tennis are part of life for most Digboites. Assamese, Hindi, English, and Bengali are the languages commonly spoken. Festivals like Holi, Lakhipuja, Kalipuja, Durga Puja, Dewali etc. are celebrated by the people.

The surrounding tea gardens and agriculture contribute to the local economy. Digboi is one of the leading tea and oil-producing centres in Assam.

Digboi is the headquarters of the Assam Oil Division of Indian Oil Corporation Limited. Being very old, the present oil production is very low at Digboi. But it is the history and tradition that make this town significant, which is almost like a living museum on the subject of oil exploration and production.

What to See

Namdapha National Park – The famous Namdapha National Park of Arunachal Pradesh is 100 km east of Digboi. more

Dibru - Saikhowa National Park – Covering an area of 340 sq km, this park is one of the main attractions of the area. The National Park is located 60 km from Digboi town. Semi-Wild (feral) Horses and White-winged Wood ducks are a rare glimpse at the park. There is also the usual wildlife of North East such as the Leopard, Clouded Leopard, Elephant, Sambar, slow loris, Asiatic Buffalo, Capped Langur, Gangetic Dolphin, Indian Wild dog etc. More than 250 varieties of local and migratory birds are also found here.

National Oil Park – Digboi oil field is not just an oil field, but an oil museum and a wildlife sanctuary of surpassed beauty.

Margherita –14 km east of Digboi, this is the centre of Tea Gardens, Plywood factories, and coal mines.

Golf Course – Digboi has an 18-hole Golf course considered the best in upper Assam. There are 8 other 9-hole Golf courses with tea estates between Dibrugarh and Doom Dooma.