T’puram: The proposed Electric Vehicle (EV) Research Park at Vilappilsala in the capital, envisaged as the state’s flagship hub for electric mobility research, innovation and advanced manufacturing, is delayed due to funding constraints linked to the reported restructuring of KIIFB.Senior officials associated with the project said the initiative continues to remain a priority and govt intervention is being sought to complete its planning process at the earliest.The research park is being developed by TrEST Research Park, which functions presently from College of Engineering, Thiruvananthapuram. The proposed integrated campus at Vilappilsala is expected to transform the facility into a full-fledged research and innovation ecosystem.The project is expected to strengthen Kerala’s position in the emerging electric mobility sector while attracting investments, promoting technology development and generating high-skilled employment.Officials said global consultancy Ernst and Young has already prepared and submitted the project’s conceptual master plan. However, the next stage — preparation of the detailed project report (DPR) — has been held up due to KIIFB restructuring.“The conceptual master plan has already been completed and submitted. DPR is the next major milestone. Once the financial issues relating to KIIFB are resolved and funding becomes available, DPR can be completed and the project can move forward,” a senior official said.Officials said the EV Research Park has now been included among the priority projects identified for revival. Senior functionaries plan to meet CM VD Satheesan and higher education minister Roji M John to seek their intervention for expediting the project.The project team has also held discussions with Kattakada MLA M R Baiju and briefed senior officials in the higher education department , including principal secretary B Ashok, on the need to revive the project without further delay.Officials maintained that the EV Research Park is a strategically significant project for Kerala’s technology ecosystem. Besides offering shared research, testing and incubation facilities, it is expected to support collaboration between industry, academia and startups while accelerating innovation in electric mobility and related technologies.“This is a critical project with immense long-term potential for Kerala. The vision remains unchanged. Once the funding issue is resolved, we expect the planning process to be completed quickly so that implementation can begin,” the official added.EY was appointed as a consultant to prepare the master plan and DPR for the ambitious project, which is expected to emerge as one of the state’s most important technology infrastructure initiatives. While the concept and planning have progressed, officials said the project’s future now hinges on the early resolution of KIIFB’s financial restructuring and the release of funds required for the next phase of development.