Pulmonologist for Patients from Kalka

Kalka and the hills beyond it

Kalka is where the plains end and the road starts climbing towards Shimla. It is a railway town at heart, the starting point of the Kalka–Shimla line, and many families here are connected to the railways, to the shops along the highway, or to the industrial units across the border in Parwanoo.

People from Kalka, Parwanoo and the villages up the hill often have to come down to Panchkula for specialist care. This page gives Kalka patients the practical details for seeing Dr. Manan Bedi, a pulmonologist at Sector 20, Panchkula, along with the breathing problems that tend to come up in this area.

What we often see in patients from Kalka

Cold, damp winters and chest infections

Winters at the foot of the hills are colder and damper than in Chandigarh. Older people, smokers and anyone with weak lungs tend to get repeated chest infections from December to February. If every cold "settles on the chest" and takes weeks to clear, that pattern needs a proper look rather than another round of antibiotics. See pneumonia and chest infections and COPD.

Damp houses and mould

Houses close to the hills can stay damp for weeks after the monsoon. Mould on walls, inside cupboards and around bathrooms is a common trigger for allergic cough, sneezing and asthma. Fixing the damp patch often helps as much as the medicine. See respiratory allergy care.

Work in industrial units

Some people from Kalka work in factories and units in and around Parwanoo, where dust, fumes or chemicals can affect the airways over time. A cough or wheeze that is worse on working days and better on holidays is a useful clue, and worth mentioning to the doctor.

Snoring and tiredness in drivers

Kalka has a large number of taxi, truck and bus drivers who spend long hours on the hill road. Loud snoring, gasping at night and dozing off during the day can point to sleep apnea, which is a real safety issue for anyone who drives for a living. See sleep apnea and snoring.

Altitude and breathlessness

Patients with COPD or lung fibrosis sometimes notice that they get more breathless when they travel up to Shimla or higher. If you have a lung condition and plan to travel to the hills, talk to your doctor first. See breathlessness.

How to reach the clinic from Kalka

Address: 1st Floor, Booth 194, Sector-20, Panchkula, Haryana 134117

By road: Take the Kalka–Panchkula–Zirakpur highway down through Pinjore and Panchkula towards Zirakpur. Sector 20 lies along this highway on the western side of Panchkula, near Peer Muchalla. The drive generally takes 40 to 55 minutes, more at peak hours.

By train: Local trains from Kalka stop at Chandi Mandir station, which is about 4 km from Sector 20. From there, an auto or cab is the easiest option.

Call +91-99280 14284 if you need help with directions. The map is on the contact page.

Timings: Monday to Saturday, 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM. Sunday, 11:00 AM to 2:00 PM. The Sunday slot is often easier for families travelling from Kalka.

Tests and procedures

Breathing tests such as PFT, sleep studies and procedures like bronchoscopy are done at Paras Health, Panchkula. The consultation and the follow-up to explain results are at the Sector 20 clinic. Since the trip from Kalka takes time, ask the staff when booking whether tests can be planned on the same day as the consultation.

Making the most of one visit

Travelling from Kalka takes up a good part of the day, so a little preparation helps:

• Bring all your inhalers and medicine strips, not just the prescription
• Bring every old X-ray, CT scan and report you can find
• Write down when the symptoms started and what makes them worse
• If an elderly parent is coming, bring someone who knows their medical history
• Send report photos on WhatsApp beforehand so the staff can tell you if anything is missing

About Dr. Manan Bedi

Dr. Manan Bedi is a pulmonologist with MBBS and MD in Pulmonary Medicine & Gold Medalist. He has over ten years of experience in pulmonology, interventional procedures and critical care. Trained in Delhi and Gurgaon, and associated with Paras Health, Panchkula. More on the about page.