The benchmark index of the Indian equities market closed higher on Thursday with the 30-scrip sensitive index of the Bombay Stock Exchange, Sensex, closing at 19, 902.07 points, 384.92 points or 1.97 percent higher from the previous close of 19517.15 points. The Sensex had a turnover of 6.10 billion rupees (about 99.99 million U.S. dollars).