JRDA has been established in December 2004 for implementation of Rehabilitation and Resettlement of Non-BCCL people residing in fire and subsidence affected areas of Jharia Coalfield.

In the Jharia coalfield, located in Dhanbad district of Jharkhand, India, coal mining has a history spanning nearly two hundred years. Before nationalization, unscientific and uncontrolled mining by private individuals and institutions led to the emergence of fire and subsidence problems in many areas of this region. As a result, environmental pollution has worsened, seriously affecting the health of the people living there. Additionally, essential infrastructure such as railways, roads, electricity, and water lines passing through these areas have also come under serious threat.