<b>Nifty hits 5K,</b> Sensex up 234pts in opening deals

The Sensex opened with a positive gap of 222 points at 17,143.

The index is now up 234 points at 17,155.

The NSE Nifty has crossed the 5,000-mark for the first time ever.

The index is now up 70 points at 5,011.