email-id: asmp@wmail.iitm.ac.in
Conference Venue
IC&SR Building, IIT Madras Campus
Accomodation
Passport and Visa
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Participants residing outside India need valid travel documents - a Passport with at least six months of validity beyond the intended date of departure from India after the conference, and a valid VISA.
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To attend conferences in India, you need to apply for a "Conference Visa". Other types of visas will not be valid for this purpose.
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Persons of Indian Origin (PIOs) travelling on or holding non-Indian passports are considered non-Indians and need to have a Conference Visa to attend the conference.
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Those currently in India on a different type of visa will need to exit and re-enter the country with a Conference Visa.
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During the period of the conference, the other VISA would be kept in abeyance and restored after the Conference Visa expires.
Important: Those who frequently visit India or already possess a long-term visa to India must also apply anew for a "Conference Visa" to attend the conference. This visa requires entry into and exit from India on the dates specified in the visa.
Please note, the above information has been provided as a facilitation. It is not warranted that the above information is current. For any clarifications, refer the https://conference.mha.gov.in/events/FAQ.aspx
At the port of entry, the authorities will check your name against the list provided by IIT Madras to the Ministry of External Affairs. If you do not have a Conference Visa, you may be denied entry and will not be able to participate in the conference.
How to Reach
Chennai is well connected with an International airport (MAA), two railway stations - Chennai central (MAS) and Chennai Egmore (MS) and a bus terminus (CMBT, Koyambedu).
For international travelers, the most convenient mode of transportation is by air. Upon arrival, one can easily reach hotels/place of stay or the conference venue using services like Call Taxi, Ola, or Uber. Some hotels also offer a pick-up option for added convenience. National travelers, on the other hand, have the option to arrive by air, train, or road.
The conference venue is located at a distance of 2.5 km from the main gate of the campus. One can use Ola/Uber services from place of stay to conference venue comfortably.
Note: Even though Chennai has metro connectivity, none of the metro stations are at a walkable distance from the IIT Madras campus. Therefore, it is preferable to catch a cab or auto.
From Airport (MAA)
The nearest airport to IIT Madras, Chennai International Airport (MAA) is a 30 mins drive from the campus. It is preferable to book a taxi directly to place of stay/conference venue from the airport. Taxis can either be pre-paid, or can be booked with any taxi operator like Ola/Uber. Depending on the choice of cab, the fare may vary between Rs. 500* to Rs. 1500*.
Additionally, metro trains are accessible from the airport to Guindy, the nearest metro station to the institute. After arriving at Guindy, one can hire an auto or taxi, or use Ola/Uber services to reach the institute.
It is recommended to come by a cab directly from airport to place of stay/conference venue.
*subject to change
From Chennai Central Railway Station (MAS)
It is preferred to hire an auto or a taxi to the place of stay/conference venue from the railway station. The Chennai Central Railway Station has a system of pre-paid autos and taxis. Else, you can travel by call taxi. The fare to the campus from Chennai Central will be around Rs. 550-650* for a taxi. Taxis can either be pre-paid, or can be booked with any taxi operator like Ola/Uber.
Metro trains are available from the Chennai central railway station to Guindy (the nearest metro station to the institute). Use the subway and cross the street in front of the Chennai Central Railway Station, to reach Puratchi Thalaivar Dr. M. G. Ramachandran Central metro station. The rate for a ticket is Rs. 24*. To reach the institute, it would be better to catch an auto/taxi from Guindy.
*subject to change
From Chennai Egmore Railway Station (MS)
To reach the place of stay/conference venue from the Egmore railway station, hire a Taxi or use services like Ola and Uber. Current auto and taxi fares from Egmore are around Rs. *300/- and Rs. *500/-, respectively.
*subject to change
From Bus Terminus, CMBT, Koyambedu
Chennai interstate/intercity bus terminus is called Chennai Mofussil Bus Terminus, commonly known as CMBT. From CMBT, you can come to institute by Call Taxi, Ola/Uber.
To use metro trains, from CMBT, get a ticket to Alandur metro station (green line) and change to blue lane to reach Guindy station. After arriving at Guindy, one can hire an auto or taxi, or use Ola/Uber services to reach the institute.
*subject to change