E/CN.4/1995/91/Add.1 page 45 setting up rest houses, shelters for pilgrims, temples and monasteries. Traditionally, they take delight in giving voluntary labour to dig wells and ponds, to construct dams, to repair roads and to build bridges. Those who can afford to do so will offer food to those who contribute voluntary labour; those who are not well off will at least offer drinking water to those contributing labour. There are also those who entertain these volunteers with music and dances. Myanmar people do not regard it as an ordeal to contribute voluntary work in building and repairing roads. 11. Myanmar was under the rule of colonial Powers for over 100 years. In the delta areas, waterways were the only means of transportation. During the rainy season, travel by this means was hazardous and slow. In accordance with the colonial policy and practice, roads and railways were not constructed. Even after the Independence in 1948, waterways were the only means of transport in the delta regions. Induced by the Policy Declaration made by the State Law and Order Restoration Council to provide smooth and effective transportation, the people in the delta areas asked the Government to take a leading role in constructing roads and railways to facilitate travel as well as transportation of goods. Thus, the Ministry for Construction, together with the members of the armed forces as well as the working people living in these areas took part in constructing roads, railways and bridges. As a result of these undertakings, nowadays people can travel by car from villages to towns and between towns in all seasons in the delta areas. In the past, it took 14 hours to travel by boat from Yangon to Pathein (Bassein). Now the journey has been cut short by 9 hours. 12. In the border areas and hilly regions, mules and horses were used in the past to carry loads. Nowadays, the local people, after joining hands with the Government to quell the insurgent activities took part in nation-building works such as constructing new towns, hydroelectric power stations, bridges over rivers and streams, and roads. In the past it would take five days by car to travel from Taungyi to Kyaington (Kengteng). Nowadays, people could make a day trip between these two towns. 13. Similarly, the construction of Aung Ban-Loikaw railway in Shan State was made possible by the cooperation of the local people who took part in the construction of the railway voluntarily. The members of the diplomatic corps had themselves witnessed these activities. 14. It may be mentioned that the Government paid wages to the villagers who had taken part in the construction of roads. However, villagers usually donate these wages to the building of schools and dispensaries in their villages for the welfare of the whole village. Allegations concerning forced relocation of Buddhist temples, Hindu statues of deity, Islamic mosques, etc. 15. As a result of years of urban drift, slums and shanty towns mushroomed in major cities and towns in Myanmar. Large, overpopulated squatter settlements sprang up in both privately and publicly owned land.