Which one of the following is the correct sequence of oil refineries in India in respect of their time of establishment (starting from the earliest)?

The correct chronological sequence of the establishment of these oil refineries is Guwahati, Barauni, Haldia, and Mathura. The Guwahati refinery (Noonmati), located in Assam, was commissioned in 1962 [4]. It was followed by the Barauni refinery in Bihar, which was established in 1964 in collaboration with the Soviet Union [3]. The Haldia refinery in West Bengal became operational later in 1975 [3]. Finally, the Mathura refinery in Uttar Pradesh was commissioned in 1982 as the sixth refinery of the Indian Oil Corporation [2]. This sequence reflects the historical expansion of India's refining capacity from the north-eastern regions toward the eastern and northern plains to meet growing energy demands. While Digboi (1901) remains the oldest, among the options provided, Guwahati is the earliest and Mathura is the most recent.

Sources

1. [3] https://cag.gov.in/uploads/download_audit_report/2010/Union_Performance_Commerical_Activities_Public_Sector_Undertakings_10_2010_chapter_7.pdf
2. [4] https://cht.gov.in/refinery-complexity-index
3. [1] Geography of India ,Majid Husain, (McGrawHill 9th ed.) > Chapter 8: Energy Resources > India: Refineries and their Production Capacity > p. 16
4. [2] Geography of India ,Majid Husain, (McGrawHill 9th ed.) > Chapter 8: Energy Resources > India: Refineries and their Production Capacity > p. 15