Chandigarh, July 10 -- The Chandigarh administration is set to roll out an online portal for registration under its newly notified Bed and Breakfast (B&B)/ homestay policy, enabling homeowners to apply digitally as the UT moves to operationalise a regulated homestay ecosystem. Officials said the portal will allow applicants to submit forms, upload ownership documents, and track approvals online, reducing paperwork and improving transparency. The portal is being introduced to promote ease of doing business by making the registration process for B&B units seamless, transparent and entirely online. The notified policy lays down clear and restrictive eligibility conditions to prevent misuse and preserve the character of residential sectors. Only houses measuring 500 square yards or more are eligible for registration, effectively limiting the scheme to larger properties. Further, the scheme allows only property owners to register B&B units, mandates formal registration with the tourism department, requires multiple clearances and no objection certificates (NOCs) before operations begin. These provisions are aimed at ensuring that the B&B model functions as a regulated homestay system rather than commercial hospitality activity. The policy is designed to boost tourism by increasing affordable and homely accommodation options, while also creating supplementary income opportunities for residents. Officials said the upcoming portal will help create a centralised database of registered units, improve monitoring, and ensure only compliant establishments operate. Chandigarh had earlier experimented with a similar B&B scheme in 2008, which was withdrawn due to widespread violations. The new policy attempts a revival with stricter norms, enforcement mechanisms, and digital oversight. While the move is expected to support tourism growth, it has also raised concerns among residents over parking pressure, privacy, and the impact on neighbourhoods....