<b>Nearing 20K:</b> Sensex up 610pts

The Sensex is advancing towards the 20,000-mark, and is now up 610 points at 19,853.

BHEL has zoomed over 6% to Rs 2,581. HDFC Bank and Larsen & Toubro have soared 5.7% each to Rs 1,635 and Rs 4,095, respectively.

HDFC and ICICI Bank have surged 4.5% each to Rs 2,686 and Rs 1,238, respectively. NTPC has gained 4% at Rs 238.

Reliance Energy has moved up 3.7% to Rs 1,732, and Grasim have added 3.4% to Rs 3,902.

ONGC has advanced 2.8% to Rs 1,188. Maruti is up 2.4% at Rs 1,210.

Tata Steel, however, has dropped nearly 8% to Rs 913.