New Delhi, Jan 30 (TIWN) The 30-scrip sensitive index Sensex and broader 50-scrip Nifty on National Stock Exchange fell sharply on Thursday as the US Fed signalled that it might tighten monetary policy in March on concerns over inflation, analysts said.

In its meeting on Wednesday, the Federal Open Market Committee kept its policy interest rate 'near zero' and stated its expectation that an increase in this rate would 'soon be appropriate'.

Accordingly, Sensex settled at 57,276 points, down 1 per cent or 581 points from its previous close, whereas Nifty settled at 17,110 points, down 1 per cent or 167 points from its previous close.

'The fall in the Indian markets is in line with the global markets. The markets were eagerly awaiting the outcome of the US Federal Reserve meeting on monetary policy which was held on January 25-26,' said Sameer Kaul, MD and CEO, TrustPlutus Wealth.