The benchmark index of the Indian equities market closed higher on Tuesday with the 30-scrip sensitive index of the Bombay Stock Exchange, Sensex, closing at 19,439.48 points, 59.74 points or 0.59 percent up from the previous close of 19,324.77 points. The Sensex had a turnover of 3.58 billion rupees (about 59.74 million U.S. dollars).