Mohali, April 20: Mohali’s premier shopping destination, VR Punjab Mall, has been closed to the public with immediate effect after a technical assessment identified severe structural risks. The operator, VR Malwa Private Limited, announced the decision on Monday, citing unforeseen damage resulting from the earthquake that struck the region on April 3.
The management stated that the closure was prompted by findings from both an internal operations team and third-party technical experts. According to the board of VR Malwa, the structural integrity of the building was compromised to a degree that necessitated an immediate shutdown to ensure the safety of visitors, retailers, and staff.
“VR Malwa will consider re-opening the VR Punjab Mall to the public only after it has evaluated that the mall structure is safe and fit for use,” the company declared in an official statement. Authorities maintained that the decision has been communicated to local government officials and all relevant stakeholders, including the hundreds of employees whose futures now remain uncertain.
The facility, which originally opened as North Country Mall before its 2017 rebranding, has been a central fixture of Mohali’s retail landscape. While there has been recent speculation regarding the potential conversion of the site into a multi-specialty hospital, the management has not provided further details on long-term plans beyond the current safety crisis.
The closure comes during a shifting period for the city’s commercial sector. While several new shopping centers have emerged in the last three years, other established properties on Airport Road are reportedly struggling with high vacancy rates. Officials affirmed that public safety remains the non-negotiable priority in the decision to keep the gates of VR Punjab closed indefinitely.
