Prime Minister Narendra Modi laid the foundation stone of the Char Dham Highway Development Project, also called the Chardham Mahamarg Vikas Pariyojana, at which of the following places in Uttarakhand?

Introduction / Context:
This question links Indian geography with current affairs and infrastructure development. The Char Dham Highway Development Project, also known as the Chardham Mahamarg Vikas Pariyojana, is a major road project in Uttarakhand intended to improve connectivity to the four important Himalayan shrines. The question asks where Prime Minister Narendra Modi laid the foundation stone for this project, so it tests knowledge of a specific location in Uttarakhand as well as awareness of national projects.

Given Data / Assumptions:
• The project is the Char Dham Highway Development Project in Uttarakhand.
• The event in question is the laying of the foundation stone by the Prime Minister.
• The options list Rishikesh, Dehradun, Manikaran, and Haridwar as possible locations.
• We assume the exam refers to the widely reported official ceremony related to this project.

Concept / Approach:
The approach is to recall the news event related to the launch of the Char Dham project. The foundation stone laying was a high profile ceremony covered extensively in national media, conducted at the Parade Ground in Dehradun, the capital city of Uttarakhand. While Rishikesh and Haridwar are important pilgrimage towns on the Ganga and Manikaran is a pilgrimage site in Himachal Pradesh, the official venue for the launch of this highway project was Dehradun. Therefore, the correct answer must match that specific administrative and ceremonial location.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Recognise that the Char Dham Highway project is associated with Uttarakhand and aims to improve access to the Himalayan shrines. Step 2: Recall from current affairs that the formal foundation stone ceremony was held at Parade Ground in Dehradun. Step 3: Check the options and identify Dehradun as the only one that directly matches the known venue of the event. Step 4: Eliminate Manikaran because it is in Himachal Pradesh, not Uttarakhand. Step 5: Eliminate Rishikesh and Haridwar because, although they are in Uttarakhand, they were not the reported site of the launch ceremony.

Verification / Alternative check:
To verify, one could refer to government press releases, PIB notes, or reliable news reports which describe PM Narendra Modi launching or laying the foundation stone of the Char Dham project in Dehradun. These sources clearly mention Dehradun as the location. Cross checking with multiple current affairs compilations used for competitive exams also confirms that Dehradun, the state capital, is the correct answer for this frequently asked question.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Rishikesh: Although in Uttarakhand and on the Char Dham route, it was not the official venue for the foundation stone ceremony.
Manikaran: This is a pilgrimage site in Himachal Pradesh, so it is outside Uttarakhand and not relevant to this event.
Haridwar: An important religious town in Uttarakhand but not the reported location of the Char Dham highway launch ceremony.

Common Pitfalls:
Candidates sometimes assume that because the project is religious in nature, the ceremony must have occurred at a famous temple town like Haridwar or Rishikesh. Another mistake is confusing news about other pilgrim related projects and mixing up locations. To avoid such errors, it is useful to remember that major infrastructure project launches often take place in state capitals or large administrative centres, which in this case points clearly to Dehradun.

Final Answer:
The correct choice is Dehradun, as the foundation stone of the Char Dham Highway Development Project was laid there by the Prime Minister.