Indian Institute of Technology Madras

Indian Institute of Technology Madras was founded in the year 1959 with technical assistance from West Germany. IIT Madras boasts of a green campus of 2.5 square kilometres, Guindy National Park (a protected wildlife area) from which it has inherited the diverse flora ana fauna. The institute is one among the foremost institutes of national importance in higher technological education, basic and applied research. It has been the top-ranking engineering institute in India for the past 7 years in the National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF), Government of India since this ranking system was announced in 2015. IIT Madras is a residential institute with nearly 550 faculty, 8000 students and 1250 administrative & supporting staff and is a self-contained campus located in a beautiful wooded land of about 250 hectares, with nearly 100 laboratories organised in a unique pattern.​

Reaching IIT Madras

IIT Madras is located in the heart of Chennai and can be reached by various means

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  1. Taxi/Auto-rickshaw: Convenient options from any part of Chennai.

  2. Bus: Several MTC buses stop near the IIT Madras campus. Key bus stops include "Adyar Gate" and "CLRI."

  3. Metro: The nearest metro station is "Guindy," from where you can take a taxi or auto-rickshaw to IIT Madras.

Inside IIT Madras: Once you reach the main gate of IIT Madras, you can use the campus shuttle service to your destination (Eg. ICSR building) within the campus. The campus is lush and spread out, so a map of the campus or directions from the main gate security can be very helpful.

By Air

Chennai is served by the Chennai International Airport (MAA), which has both domestic and international terminals.

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  1. International Flights: Direct flights are available from major international destinations including Singapore, Dubai, London, Frankfurt, and more.

  2. Domestic Flights: Regular flights connect Chennai with major Indian cities such as Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore, Hyderabad, Kolkata, and others.

From the Airport to IIT Madras:

  • Taxi: Prepaid and app-based taxis (Uber, Ola) are available at the airport. The journey to IIT Madras typically takes around 30-45 minutes depending on traffic.

  • Public Transport: The Metropolitan Transport Corporation (MTC) buses and suburban trains are also available, though they might be less convenient with luggage.

By Train

Chennai is well-connected by rail to various parts of India.

  1. Major Railway Stations

    • Puratchi Thalaivar Dr. M.G. Ramachandran Central Railway Station (MAS): Connects to major cities in India.

    • Chennai Egmore (MS): Mostly connects to cities within Tamil Nadu and neighboring states.

  2. Reaching IIT Madras from Railway Stations

    • From Chennai Central: Taxis and autos are readily available. The journey takes around 30-45 minutes.

    • From Chennai Egmore: Similar options are available, with a travel time of around 20-30 minutes.

By Road

Chennai interstate/intercity bus terminus is called Kalaignar Centenary Bus Terminus – Kilambakkam. Chennai is accessible via several National Highways and is well-connected to nearby cities and states.

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  1. Buses: Various state-run and private buses connect Chennai to other cities.

  2. Driving: If you are driving to Chennai, use GPS navigation to reach IIT Madras located in the Guindy area.

By Metro

Chennai's metro system provides seamless connectivity across the city. Major metro stations like Chennai Central and Egmore offer easy access to key areas, and the metro network is expanding to improve connectivity to nearby regions and transport hubs.

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  1. Take the metro from Chennai Central to Anna Nagar East. Transfer to the Blue Line at Egmore Metro station heading towards Washermanpet and disembark at Guindy. From Guindy, you can either take a bus (5C, 47A, or 49C) or hire an auto-rickshaw to reach IIT Madras.

  2. Little Mount Metro Station is located on the Blue Line of the Chennai Metro. It serves as a key transit point for travelers heading towards areas like Guindy, IIT Madras, and Adyar. The station is equipped with modern amenities, including elevators, escalators, and parking facilities, making it accessible and convenient for commuters. Little Mount also provides easy access to important commercial and educational hubs in the city, and its strategic location helps connect south Chennai with other major areas through the metro network.