Mumbai, Sep 30 (Inditop.com) The 30 scrip benchmark index of the Indian equities markets, Sensex, Wednesday crossed 17,000 for the first time in 16 months.

The benchmark index of the Bombay Stock Exchange had last crossed the 17,000 mark May 23, 2008.

Around 11.20 a.m, the Sensex, which opened at 16,868.46 points was ruling at 17,028.73 points, up 175.82 points or 1.04 percent higher than its previous close.

Around the same time, the broader S&P CNX Nifty of the National Stock Exchange was at 5,050.2 points, 0.87 percent higher than its previous close at 5,006.85 points.

Broader market indices were also in the green with the BSE midcap index ruling 0.56 percent higher and the BSE smallcap index up 0.8 percent.