Acts as one of several non-catalytic accessory components of the cytoplasmic dynein 2 complex (dynein-2 complex), a motor protein complex that drives the movement of cargos along microtubules within cilia and flagella in concert with the intraflagellar transport (IFT) system. DYNC2I1 plays a major role in retrograde ciliary protein trafficking in cilia and flagella. Requires also to maintain a functional transition zone. Intermediate chain of the cytoplasmic dynein complex 2, a multisubunit complex, composed at least of eleven different proteins. The cytoplasmic dynein 2 complex consists of two catalytic heavy chains (HCs) and a number of non-catalytic subunits presented by intermediate chains (ICs), light intermediate chains (LICs) and light chains (LCs). Among them, a heavy chain (DYNC2H1), two intermediate chains (DYNC2I2 and DYNC2I1), a light intermediate chain (DYNC2LI1), and a light chain (DYNLT2B) are unique to the cytoplasmic dynein complex 2, but a subset of the light chains are also shared by dynein-1 and dynein-2 complexes. Interacts with DYNC2I2; their C-terminal domains each bind a copy of the heavy chain, and their extended N-terminal regions are held together by an array of light chain dimers. Interacts with DYNLT2B. Interacts (via the N-terminal half) with DYNLT2B-DYNLT1 dimer or with DYNLT2B-DYNLT3 dimer; this interaction is crucial for retrograde trafficking of ciliary proteins. Located at the base of the primary cilium in serum-starved fibroblasts. Belongs to the dynein light intermediate chain family.