Mumbai, Dec 31 (IANS) A benchmark index of the Indian equities market soared past 20,500 points level in the afternoon session Friday, the last trading day of the year 2010, led by buying support in realty, banking and auto stocks.

The 30-share sensitive index (Sensex) of the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE), opened in the positive at 20,412.76 points from the previous close of 20,389.07 points.

The Sensex was ruling at 20,500.72 points, up 0.55 percent or 111.65 points in the afternoon. The index touched a high of 20,552.03 points in the intra-day.

Reliance Comm surged over four percent to Rs.143.75. Jaiprakash Asso, up 3.45 percent at Rs.106.40; Bajaj Auto, up 3.32 percent at Rs.1,525.95; Reliance Infra, up 2.69 percent at Rs.831.40; and HDFC Bank, up 2.54 percent at Rs.2,361 were major Sensex movers.

At the National Stock Exchange 50-share S&P CNX Nifty was ruling 0.54 percent or 32.75 points up at 6,137.10 points in the afternoon.

At the broader market the BSE midcap and smallcap indices were ruling more than one percent up.

Amongst the sectoral indices, the BSE realty index was up 2.31 percent, and the Bankex up 1.32 percent. The auto index was trading nearly one percent higher.